ACCOLADES POUR IN FOR INDIA TEAM AFTER HISTORIC BADMINTON TITLE
SRIKANTH SCRIPTS WIN AFTER SEN-SATIONAL START IN FINAL
India made history by winning the Thomas Cup for the first time with a ruthless 3-0 upset of reigning champions Indonesia in Bangkok yesterday.
India, competing in their debut final of the men’s team championship, sealed the title when world No 11 Kidambi Srikanth defeated higher-ranked Jonatan Christie 21-15, 23-21.
A devastated Indonesia, the tournament’s most successful team having previously won it 14 times, could not keep pace with the fire brought by the Indian team, who joyfully rushed to the court following Srikanth’s win.
India were already 2-0 up, with Lakshya Sen beating Anthony Ginting in the first singles match and then Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeating Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sukamuljo in the doubles.
It fell to Christie, an Asian Games gold medallist now in his fourth Thomas Cup campaign, to save Indonesia’s flagging title hopes.
Taking full advantage
But the eighth-ranked Christie couldn’t do it and seemed overcome with nerves at the onset of his do-or-die match against Srikanth.
The 29-year-old Srikanth took full advantage, bearing down relentlessly on Christie in the second game.
Srikanth praised his teammates for their performance individually and as a team, noting: “I think everyone really
stepped up when it was required. “A credit goes to the whole team, players, coaches, support team. I love them, they have been fantastic. It’s one of the best teams that I have been part of,” he said.
In the first match of the tie,
world No 5 Ginting grabbed the first game in style over Sen, 218. But he then wobbled, and with Sen growing in confidence, the Indian world No 9 won the next two games 21-17, 21-16.
“I think this one is for the team, they have been backing
me throughout my performances,” the 20-year-old Sen said. “In the closing stages I was really nervous and trying to calm myself with deep breaths.”
Modi praises team
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the praise back home and personally rang the team in the Thai capital to congratulate them.
“The Indian badminton team has scripted history! The entire nation is elated by India winning the Thomas Cup!” he tweeted.
The Central Government has announced a cash award of Rs10 million for the victorious Indian team, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced the cash award in a tweet.