shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > Asia Team Championships Thai high for Team India

Asia Team Championships: Thai high for Team India

Updated on: 15 February,2020 10:46 AM IST  |  Manila (Philippines)
PTI |

Male shuttlers assured of a medal after come-from-behind 3-2 win over Thailand in quarters.

Asia Team Championships: Thai high for Team India

Team India celebrate after beating Thailand in Badminton Asia Team Championships yesterday. Pic/Twitter

Manila (Philippines): The Indian men's team assured itself of a medal after progressing to the semi-finals with a thrilling 3-2 win over Thailand at the Badminton Asia Team Championships here on Friday. After star shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth faced reversals in the first two singles ties, India fought back to win the next three ties, which included a single and two doubles rubbers, to prevail over Thailand in the quarter-finals and set up a Last Four meeting with two-time defending champions Indonesia. The men's team had last won a bronze after losing 1-3 to Indonesia in the semi-finals of the 2016 Hyderabad edition. World Championships bronze medallist B Sai Praneeth started the proceedings, but his gallant effort ended in a 14-21, 21-14, 12-21 loss to World No. 12 Kantaphon Wangcharoen, as India lagged 0-1.


Srikant loses singles tie
In the second singles, former World No. 1 Srikanth went down 20-22, 14-21 to Kunlavut Vitidsarn, a three-time world junior champion, as India slipped to 0-2. The pairing of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila kept India in the hunt with a 21-18, 22-20 win over Kittinupong Kedren and Tanupat Viriyangkura in the first doubles. Young Lakshya Sen, who had a stellar run in 2019 with five titles, then registered a 21-19, 21-18 win over World No. 45 Suppanyu Avihingsanon to bring India back on level terms. It then all boiled down to the makeshift pair of Chirag Shetty and Srikanth and the Indian duo dished out a superb game to outwit the pairing of Maneepong Jongjit and Nipitphon Phuangphuapet 21-15, 16-21, 21-15 in the deciding second doubles tie. "It is an incredible result for us considering the fact that we didn't have Satwiksairaj [Rankireddy] and we generally depend on the singles to get us the win.


Sen shines
"But after we lost the first two singles, the way we got that doubles win and then Lakshya brought us back to level, it was a complete team effort," said Chirag. India, who had lost to China 1-3 in the last edition in 2018, will now lock horns with Indonesia in the semi-finals. Indonesia boast of Asian Games champion and World No. 7 Jonathan Christie and World No. 5 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. They also have the World No. 1 pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, apart from the formidable Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan. "Beating Indonesia will be a difficult task because they have such a formidable doubles pairs. Even in singles, their players are ranked in the Top 10, so it will be tough," Chirag signed off.


Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK