The innovative relay-style team format — a new Badminton World Federation (BWF) initiative to modernise the sport — posed no challenge for 18-year-old Unnati Hooda, who led India to a spirited and winning start at the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships 2025 in Guwahati on Monday. Currently ranked world No. 31 on the senior circuit, Hooda displayed her trademark composure in the new format, clinching the women’s singles match against Rihanna Sherchan in Match 4 of India’s Group H opener against neighbours Nepal at the National Centre of Excellence. Making full use of the new rule allowing substitutions between sets, the Indian team fielded different combinations across the three doubles matches and rotated singles players over two sets. Junior world No. 1 Tanvi Sharma continued her fine run, defeating Dilasha Rana in Match 9 to help India reach the 45-point target that sealed a set in the best-of-three format. Earlier, the former world junior No. 1 boys doubles pair of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu set the tone for India’s dominance with a commanding 9-3 win over Kabir KC and Suprim Panta. India went on to secure a 45-18, 45-17 victory to open their mixed team campaign in emphatic fashion.
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Elsewhere, all the tournament heavyweights made winning starts. China cruised past Uganda, Chinese Taipei defeated the Netherlands, and South Korea eased past Hungary. The day also saw its share of drama, with Sri Lanka staging a comeback to edge out the UAE in the thriller of the day. India will next face Sri Lanka in their second group-stage encounter on Tuesday, followed by a clash against the UAE on Wednesday.
