Indonesia One Step Away from Winning the Suhandinata Cup

GUWAHATI, FRIDAY – Indonesia has the opportunity to retain the Suhandinata Cup on home soil. After becoming champions in 2024, the "Merah Putih" team has returned to the finals of the mixed team junior badminton world championship held in Guwahati, India, in 2025.

Indonesia will compete for the championship title against China in a match that will take place at the National Centre of Excellence on Saturday (11/10/2025). In the semifinal held on Friday, Indonesia halted the host's progress, India, with a score of 2-0, while China defeated Japan, 2-1.

The final marked the third consecutive time for Indonesia, all against China. For several athletes, such as Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah and Rinjani Kwinara Nastine, the match represented their second consecutive final.

Zaki and Rinjani helped Indonesia become the world junior champions after defeating host China in the 2024 Suhandinata Cup final in Nanchang. A year earlier, in Spokane, United States, Indonesia also met China in the final, but lost 1-3 in a best-of-three game scoring system with 21 points.

In the 2024 Suhandinata Cup, the BWF implemented a relay scoring system to reach 110 points. Each match consists of five events in two rounds. Thus, each athlete has a target of achieving 11 points and its multiples. In the final, Indonesia won 110-103 against China.

The relay scoring format is also used in the competition in Guwahati with modifications to the number of parties involved. The meeting between the two teams takes place over three sets, each consisting of five events.

In each party, every player must obtain nine points and its multiples until reaching a score of 45 to win one set. The winner is the team that wins two sets.

In the match against India, Indonesia led 45-35 in the first set, followed by 45-21 in the second set. Meanwhile, in another semifinal that was more competitive, China won the first set 45-42 after trailing 14-18 until the second match.

The support of the coach, friends and team increased our enthusiasm and confidence.

Japan took the lead 45-38 in the second set and continued to put up a tight fight in the third game, narrowing the gap from ten to two points. However, China's score remained uncatchable, and they won 45-42.

The Red and White squad fell behind India early in the match, specifically when the men's doubles team of Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok/Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono was defeated by Bhargav Ran Arigela/Viswa Tej Gobburu with a score of 6-9.

Due to the use of a point relay system, Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, representing Indonesia in women's singles, began the match against Unnati Hooda at that score. Thalita was actually leading 10-9, but Hooda reached the target to score 18 points first.

Since the third party, Indonesia has taken the lead as a team, starting with Zaki's victory over Rounak Chouhan. Zaki's advantage with a score of 11-5 allowed Indonesia to turn the tables and lead 27-23. Subsequently, the players competing in the mixed doubles and women's events maintained that lead until they reached a score of 45.

The defeat of the men's doubles in the first set prompted Indonesia to change its composition in the second set, yielding significant results. Rizki, who this time partnered with Alexius Ongkytama Subagio, immediately put Indonesia ahead 9-2.

Other players with the same formation as in the first set extended the lead to win the second set and bring Indonesia to the final phase.

"Thank God, earlier in the second set I was appointed to replace Barrok. The feeling was a mix of happiness and tension, but I had to remain confident. Edsel and I tried to stay calm, assured, and determined. The support from the coach, friends, and the team boosted our spirit and confidence," said Alexius.

Meanwhile, Zaki, who serves as the captain of the Indonesian team, assessed that the team's performance was good despite a sense of tension in the first set. "That feeling was managed well. In the second set, everyone played with confidence," said Zaki, who also hopes for support from badminton fans in the homeland for Indonesia to become the champion.

According to Rinjani, competing against India on their home ground creates significant pressure on him and his teammates. "The key is to try to maintain focus," said Rinjani, who plays in the women's doubles with Riska Anggraini and in the mixed doubles (Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya) to BWF.

Indonesia – India semifinal results

Set I

Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok/Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono vs Bhargav Ran Arigela/Viswa Tej Gobburu 6-9

Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan vs Unnati Hooda 16-18

Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah vs Rounak Chouhan 27-23

Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs  C Lalramsanga/Vishakha Toppo 36-33

Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Vennala Kalagotla/R. Uthayasooriyan 45-35

Set II

Achievement of Daffa Edsel Pramono/Alexius Ongkytama Subagio vs Bhargav Ran Arigela/Viswa Tej Gobburu 9-2

Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan vs Unnati Hooda 18-8

Moh Zaki Ubaidillah vs Rounak Chouhan 27-15

Ikhsan Lintang Pramudya/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs  C Lalramsanga/Vishakha Toppo 36-19

Riska Anggraini/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine vs Aanya Bisht/Angel Punera 45-21