Badminton Asia Team Championships: Indian Women's Team Beat Thailand 3-2 To Secure First-Ever Title

Badminton Asia Team Championships: After taking a 2-0 lead, Thailand levelled the scoreline 2-2 but eventually it was the Indian women's side that came out on top.

In a thrilling finale, the Indian team beat Thailand 3-2 to strike gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championships.

Source : X/@Media_SAI

In a historic triumph, the Indian women's badminton team clinched their maiden gold at the Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday. The momentous win unfolded in Shah Alam, Malaysia, as the Indian squad emerged victorious with a 3-2 triumph over Thailand. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu  was first up against Thailand's Supanida Katethong in Women's singles clash in which the Indian shuttler dominated, winning her fixture 21-12, 21-12.

While Sindhu's victory meant India had taken a 1-0 lead, it was soon doubled when Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela took the court against Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Pra Jongjai in the women's doubles clash. In this face-off, the Indian pair came out on top 21-16 in the first game. Even though they lost the second game 18-21, they showed great resilience to take the deciding game 21-16 and hand India the advantage.

Make way for the history makers, the girls of 🇮🇳an #Badminton🏸😍🥳

Kudos to these powerhouses as they clinch 🇮🇳 Women's Team's FIRST-EVER medal at #BadmintonAsiaChampionships, smashing through obstacles to emerge as CHAMPIONS 🏆 against 🇹🇭🔥

Many congratulations to all! This… pic.twitter.com/h9dMTytoX8

— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) February 18, 2024

Thailand Stage A Fightback But Anmol Kharb Wins Decider

Thereafter it was a fightback from Thailand who came back from behind to level the scoreline at 2-2. They won the subsequent two matches with Busanan Ongbamrungphan beating Ashmita Chaliha 21-11, 21-14 and the second women's doubles pair of Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard also winning in straight games 21-11, 21-9, the Indian duo of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra proving to be little challenge for them.

As the stage was set for a decider, it was India's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Athlete Anmol Kharb who stepped up to ensure that India do not finish second best and go on to clinch the gold. Kharb had played a pivotal role in the semis as well and this time around too she was in great form and completely dominated her opponent Pornpicha Choeikeewong winning 21-14, 21-9 to hand India a historic gold, their first-ever Badminton Asia Team Championships title.