Teen sensation Anmol Kharb held her nerve in the final match to help India clinch a historic gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships on Sunday.
India defeated Thailand 3-2 in their first-ever final at the event.
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Star shuttler PV Sindhu got the ball rolling for India on Sunday with a confident 21-12, 21-12 win over Supanida Katethong. Indian doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand then doubled the team's lead to take India to the verge of victory.
However, Thailand won the next two matches to put the tie on even keel.
That was something insane! Huge congratulations girls for that incredible win! So proud of you! A special mention to Anmol for that 5th Tie wins!🇮🇳 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 #batc2024 @BAI_Media
— Chirag Shetty (@Shettychirag04) February 18, 2024
Kharb, India's find of the tournament, then put in a nerveless performance, as she dispatched Pornchipa Choeikeewong 21-14, 21-9 in 42 minutes to take India to victory.
It has been a breakthrough performance for the Indian women. While established players like Sindhu and Ashwini Ponnappa have done their bit, younger players like Kharb and Ashmita Chaliha surged forward.
The 17-year-old Kharb, who was ranked 475 at the start of the tournament, marked her tournament debut with a thrilling three-game win over China’s Wu Luo Yu to make sure India qualified at the top of the two-team group. She also scored a win over No. 29 Natsuki Nidaira in the decider during the semi-final against Japan on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chaliha upset former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan to help India to their maiden BATC final.
The men's team was knocked out on Friday, as they lost 3-2 to Japan in the quarterfinals.
Apart from the prestigious title, the Asian Championships also offered crucial rankings points for 2024 Paris Olympics.
MORE: Who is Anmol Kharb? Meet India's latest badminton star
India vs Thailand, Badminton Asia Team Championships final results:
- PV Sindhu bt Supanida Katethong 21-12, 21-12
- Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand beat Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongai
- Busanan Ongbamrungphan beat Ashmita Chaliha 21-11, 21-15
- Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard beat Priya Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra 21-11, 21-9
- Anmol Kharb beat Pornchipa Choeikeewong 21-14, 21-9
India at Badminton Asian Team Championships 2024: Schedule and results
| Date | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|
| February 14 | Group stage | India 3-2 China |
| February 16 | Quarterfinal | India 3-0 Hong Kong |
| February 17 | Semifinal | India 3-2 Japan |
| February 18 | Final | India 3-2 Thailand |
India squad for Badminton Asian Team Championships
- PV Sindhu
- Anmol Kharb
- Tanvi Sharma
- Ashmita Chaliha
- Treesa Jolly
- Gayatri Gopichand
- Ashwini Ponnappa
- Tanisha Crasto
- Priya Devi Konjengbam
- Shruti Mishra.
