Thomas Cup: Indian shuttlers confirm first medal in 43 years

Thomas Cup: India Men’s team enters Semis

Thomas Cup,2022 Bangkok: The Indian men’s badminton team scripted history by winning the quarter-finals and confirming a medal in the Thomas Cup 2022. The last time India made it to the semis was in 1979. The women’s team, unfortunately, bowed out of the Uber Cup losing 0-3 to Thailand.

India has not won a medal in this competition for the last 43 years. India won against the mighty Malaysia winning by 3-2.

Victories provided by world no. 8 pairing Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, world championship silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy performed spectacularly to see India home.

When HS Prannoy stepped onto the court to play Leong Jun Hao, both India and Malaysia were tied 2-2. HS Prannoy delivered a historical performance by dominating both the sets and winning comfortably by a margin of 21-13, 21-8 against Leong.

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Lakhsya Sen lost the first match to Lee Zii Jia 21-23, 9-23. Then silver medallist duo Satwik-Chirag revived the Indian contingent by playing a hard-fought win against Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin 21-19, 21-15. That helped to level the series 1-1.

Later, Kidambi Srikanth delivered a masterclass of his own by defeating Ng Tze Yong 21-11, 21-17. That ensured a lead for India for the time being. Indian duo Krishna Prasad Garaga and Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala then lost to Aaron Chia and Teo Ee Yi 19-21, 17-21 after Prannoy sealed the match for India.

The women’s contingent didn’t perform too well as they lost against Thailand 3-0.

Olympic silver medalist PV Sindhu lost her match against Ratchanok Intanon 21-18, 17-21, and 12-21. Intanon dominated the whole game as she never gave Sindhu any opportunity to control the game. In the deciding game, Intanon scored consecutive points from 14-12 to win the match.

Indian women’s duo Shruti Mishra and Simran Singhi lost to Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai 16-21, 13-21. Aakarshi Kashyap lost the final match 21-16, 21-11, as Pornpawee Chochuwong sealed the match with a victory for Thailand.

Results Quarter Finals:

Thomas Cup: India beat Malaysia 3-2 (Lakhsya lost to Lee Zii Jia 21-23, 9-21; Satwiksairaj Rankireddy /Chirag Shetty beat Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin 21-19, 21-15; Kidambi Srikanth beat Ng Tze Yong 21-11, 21-17; Krishna Prasad Garaga/ Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala lost to Aaron Chia/Teo Ee Yi 19-21, 17-21; HS Prannoy beat Leong Jun Hao 21-13, 21-8)

Uber Cup: Thailand beat India 3-0 (Ratchanok Intanon beat PV Sindhu 18-21, 21-17, 21-12; Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai beat Shruti Mishra/Simran Singhi 21-16,21-13; Pornpawee Chochuwong beat Aakarshi Kashyap 21-16, 21-11)