Defiance defined India’s BATC campaign Thursday as the women’s defending champs absorbed a 2-3 Group Y reversal to Thailand yet punched a quarter-final ticket in Chingdao.
Thailand seized group leadership; India earned runner-up honors for knockouts. A 5-0 Myanmar thrashing prior buffered the blow.
Tanvi Sharma (World No. 42) stunned Busanan Ongbamrungphan (No. 16) 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 over 63 minutes, electrifying the court.
Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly extended dominance, outdueling Tidapron Klaisun and Nattamon Laissuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11 for a 2-0 edge.
Rakshita Ramraj faltered against teen sensation Pichaemon Opritniputh 19-21, 17-21. Tanisha Crasto-Shruti Mishra then dropped a decider 21-19, 14-21, 15-21 to Hathairat Mijad-Napaporn Tungkasatan, tying it 2-all.
Pornpicha Choeikeewong clinched it 21-18, 21-14 over Malvika Bansod in 40 minutes, atopping Thailand.
This Asian showdown qualifies for Denmark’s Thomas-Uber Cup. India’s Uber defense and men’s bronze legacy face China’s men’s stranglehold.
Losses sharpen champions. India’s depth, from Sharma’s upset to doubles firepower, signals quarter-final fireworks ahead.