Jakarta, Jan 24: Ace India shuttler P. V. Sindhu became the centre of controversy during her quarter-final loss at the Indonesia Masters 2026, after being
shown a rare red card midway through the second game of her match against China's Chen Yu Fei on Friday (January 23).
Sindhu's campaign ended with a 13-21, 17-21 defeat, but the episode involving the red card - and the circumstances leading up to it - dominated headlines and sparked debate among fans and experts alike.
PV Sindhu caught in a controversy
The incident occurred with Sindhu trailing 12-17 in the second game, when a contentious line call sparked visible frustration from the Indian veteran. Having already lost both of her challenges earlier in the match, Sindhu was unable to overturn the decision and began vocally expressing her displeasure towards the officiating.
Her animated reactions earned her a yellow card for misconduct from the chair umpire. Moments later, a red card was shown for delaying play before a serve - a penalty that, under badminton rules, awards a point to the opponent.
Badminton's disciplinary system allows referees to issue cards for serious misconduct, unsportsmanlike behaviour or deliberate delays that interfere with the flow of the game. In Sindhu's case, it was the combination of her protest over the line call and the subsequent pause before resuming play that led to the red card being shown.
Instantly after the red card was issued, the match referee intervened to defuse the situation and reassess the call. Following a brief discussion with officials, the red card was overturned, allowing play to continue without the additional penalty. The reversal briefly energized Sindhu, who fought back to 17-18, but she was ultimately unable to close out the game and level the match.
The episode highlighted the intense pressure and fine margins at the top level of professional badminton, where decisions from line judges and umpires can have significant impact - especially in tightly fought quarters of prestigious BWF World Tour events like the Super 500 tournament in Jakarta. While the red card call was reversed, the disruption appeared to shift momentum in favour of Chen, who maintained her composure to secure her place in the semi-finals.
Lakshya Sen Also Bows Out
Sindhu's compatriot Lakshya Sen's campaign also came to an end at the quarter-final stage, compounding India's disappointment at the Super 500 tournament. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist struggled to impose himself against higher-ranked opposition and bowed out after a hard-fought three-game defeat, once again highlighting the fine margins at the elite level of men's singles badminton.
While Sen showed flashes of his attacking intent and court coverage, inconsistency at key moments proved costly, denying him a deeper run in Jakarta and bringing the curtain down on India's challenge in the tournament.
Mixed Season for Sindhu
Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist and one of India's most celebrated shuttlers, has endured a mix of results this season, but she continues to be a central figure in the sport's global narrative. In a tournament that ultimately saw India's challenge conclude with exits for both Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, the red card controversy adds another talking point as fans and pundits dissect both the performance and the officiating standards at high-stakes international badminton.
