India's rising tennis star Somdev Devvarman can precisely tell what an impact a vociferous crowd can have on the outcome of a match. Time and again Devvarman has come up trumps even when the chips were down thanks to crowd support.


Dola Banerjee (left), Bombayala Devi and Deepika Kumari (right)
celebrate their gold medal.pic/afp

The Indian archery team perhaps picked a leaf out of Devvarman's book and dished out an exceptional performance to hand India its first-ever gold in archery.

Like several venues at the Commonwealth Games, the Yamuna Sports Complex, where the archers were battling humid conditions and their rivals for supremacy, a large crowd had assembled to cheer the home team.u00a0
So power-packed was their cheering, that the English archery team, favourites to clinch gold in the women's recurve archery event, were stunned by the Indian triumvirate of Dola Banerjee, Deepika Kumari and Bombayala Devi. The Indians triumphed 207-206 in a nail-biting finish to clinch gold.

England were shocked and despite wanting to cry hoarse about the crowds' deafening cheers, they put up a brave front. "This is not a typical archery crowd, but we're not making any excuses because we shoot as a team. Archery is like golf. You don't have people clapping and shouting when someone is teeing off. But, as I say, it's not an excuse. We respect the Indian team and they were worthy winners," said England's senior pro Alison Williamson.

The Indian contingent was looking forward to take the top spot on the podium and nothing else mattered to them, but to go and occupy their place. "It's a fantastic victory for our team," said two-time Olympian Dola Banerjee after the Indians defeated Naomi Folklard, Amy Oliver and Williamson's team 207-206.
"Thankfully, the wind was not problematic and conditions were perfect for archery," added Banerjee. Meanwhile, India had to be content with a bronze in the men's recurve archery.

India were fancied to clinch gold but they broke many hearts losing out to Australia, who clinched gold. They however, defeated England for the bronze medal.