Advertisement
New Delhi: On Sunday, India women’s badminton team scripted history as they won the Badminton Asia Team Championships crown, beating Thailand 3-2 in a hard-fought final in Selangor Malaysia. The young and sprightly group of Indian women’s team, led by P V Sindhu, defied all expectations as it rose to the occasion to come up trumps against two-time bronze medallists Thailand.
This is the first time India have won the prestigious continental team championships title in the history of the sport. It, however, needs to be mentioned that like most of the teams in the competition, Thailand were not at full strength.
They were without their top two singles players — world No. 13 Ratchanok Intanon and world No. 16 Pornpawee Chochuwong. PV Sindhu, Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly and teenage sensational Anmol Kharb won their respective matches as India won the final 3-2 in Shah Alam on Sunday.
Two years after India won the prestigious Thomas Cup, a proud moment has arrived for the women’s team as India performed brilliantly in the continental tournament, defeating China, Hong Kong, Japan and ultimately Thailand in the final. It was a spectacular final that lived up to India’s expectations as PV Sindhu, playing her first tournament after returning from injury, defeated Supaninda Katethong 21-12, 21-12 in just 39 minutes to give India a 1-0 lead. Gave it. India went 2-0 up as Gayatri Gopichand and Jolly Treesa defeated Jongkolpham Kititharakul and Ravinda Prajongjal in a tight three-game encounter.
Gayatri and Jolly kept their spirits up and came back from 6-11 down in the final game to defeat the Thai pair 21-16, 18-21, 21-16 in the first doubles match of the 5-match match. However, Ashmita Chaliha, who had defeated former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in the semi-finals against Japan, lost to Busanan Ongbamrungphan 11-21, 14-21. However, 16-year-old Anmol Kharab, ranked 472 in the world, once again prevailed in the decider. The Saina Nehwal fan showed courage on the biggest stage and defeated world number 45 Pornpicha Choekivong in straight games to give India a decisive win.
