Indian badminton players will start adapting to a new era of scoring from this month after the Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed the introduction of the 3 x 15 rally points system across the country’s domestic circuit.The revised format will make its debut at the Yonex-Sunrise All India Senior Ranking Championship, scheduled to be held at the Regional Sports Center in Ernakulam from July 7 to 14.Under the updated rules, matches will continue to follow a best-of-three format, but each match will now be played with 15 points instead of the traditional 21. Players or pairs still must secure a two-point advantage after 14 points to win the match.
If the score reaches 20 points, the next point will determine the winner, with each match decided at 21 points.The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is set to introduce the same scoring system in international badminton from January next year. By implementing this format early, BAI aims to ensure that Indian airlines are fully accustomed to the changes before they come into effect globally.“This decision has been taken to ensure that players across all age groups gain knowledge and competitive adaptability to the revised scoring system, thus ensuring a smooth transition when the system is adopted internationally,” BAI Secretary General Sanjay Mishra said in a statement.
Aside from the revised scoring, several match procedures have also been updated. The mid-match break will now be taken once the leading player or pair reaches eight points, replacing the previous 11-point break. In the deciding third game, players will still switch sides, with the switch now occurring during a 60-second period at eight points. The 120-second break between games remains unchanged, while the winner of the previous game will still serve first in the next game.The new 3 x 15 format will be implemented in all FIFA domestic competitions, including Zonal Championships and National Classification Championships in the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Senior and Masters (veterans) categories. It will also be used at every stage of the National Championships, from the Under-11 age group through to the Senior and Masters divisions.Scheduled for a global launch next year, India’s early adoption is expected to help its players adapt more quickly to the format designed to make matches faster, more intense and tactically demanding.