India’s men’s badminton scripted a spectacular 3-0 victory over 14-time champions Indonesia in the Thomas Cup final in Bangkok on Sunday. Lakshya Sen got India off to a perfect start in the best-of-five match tie, winning his singles match against Anthony Sinsuka Ginting. Interestingly, this was Sen’s first victory in the opening match of a tie in the Thomas Cup.
His previous losses meant India were trailing on each occasion. On Sunday, however, Sen came back strongly after losing the first game to defeat Ginting 8-21,21-17, 21-16.
In the second match, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty overcame Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 18-21, 23-21 and 21-19. The Indonesian pair failed to capitalise on four match points in the second game.
In the third match, Kidambi Srikanth took on Jonathan Christie. Before the final, Srikanth had an impressive Thomas Cup, winning all five matches he had played. Christie, the Asian Games gold medallist, had beaten Srikanth twice this season.
On Sunday, Srikanth opened an early lead in the first game, racing to 8-2, before Christie clawed his way back into the game. Srikanth and Christie were level at 15 points each before the Indian earned six straight points to take the first game.
Christie gave a much tougher fight to Srikanth in the second game, leading 16-13 at one point. But Srikanth kept clawing his way back into the game and eventually won 23-21 to clinch the match 21-15,23-21 and give India its first Thomas Cup.
The fourth match would have been a doubles clash between M.R. Arjun and Dhruv Kapila facing Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, while the final match would have seen H.S. Prannoy face Shesar Hiren Rhustavito.
Hailing the Indian men’s badminton team for winning the Thomas Cup for the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that they have scripted history and their win will motivate many upcoming sportspersons.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announced a cash award of Rs 1 crore to the Indian men’s badminton team which created history by winning the coveted Thomas Cup title for the first time.
“India’s extraordinary feat of winning the Thomas Cup with successive victories over Malaysia, Denmark and Indonesia in the play-offs called for a relaxation of rules,” said Thakur in a statement. “It is with pride that I announce the award of Rs 1 crore to the team that Indians so much joy this weekend.” Thakur complimented the players, coaches and support staff of the Indian team for the historic triumph.
