BAI introduces new 3×15 scoring system in domestic badminton events Badminton News

Indian badminton Players will get used to the new scoring era from this month after the Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed the introduction of the 3×15 rally points system in the Indian domestic circuit.The revised format will make its debut at the Yonex-Sunrise All India Senior Ranking Championship, scheduled to be held from July 7 to 14 at the Ernakulam Regional Sports Centre.According to the updated rules, the game will continue to follow a best-of-three-game system, but each game will be changed from the traditional 21 points to 15 points. A player or combination must still secure a two-point advantage after 14 games to win the game. If the score reaches 20 ties, the winner will be decided by the next point, with the maximum points for each game being 21 points.The Badminton World Federation (BWF) will introduce the same scoring system in international badminton competitions from January next year. By implementing the format at the earliest, BAI aims to ensure that Indian badminton players are fully acclimated to the changes before they come into effect globally.“This decision has been taken to ensure familiarity and competitive fitness for players across all age groups in the revised scoring format, thereby ensuring a smooth transition when the system is adopted internationally,” BAI general secretary Sanjay Mishra said in a release.In addition to revised scoring, some game procedures have also been updated. Halftime will now take place once the leading player or players reach eight points, replacing the previous 11-point break. In the third game of the decider, players will continue to change formations, now at the 8-minute mark during a 60-second interval. The 120-second break between courts remains unchanged, and the winner of the previous game will still serve first in the next game.The new 3×15 format will be implemented in all domestic competitions organized by BAI, including divisional championships and domestic ranking events in the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Senior and Masters (Veterans) categories. It will also be used at all stages of the National Championships, from the Under-11s to the Senior and Masters categories.Set to launch globally next year, early adoption in India is expected to help its players adapt more quickly to a format designed to make the game faster, more intense and more tactically demanding.