Kidambi Srikanth, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty and HS Prannoy were the ones who came up with victories for India in the thrilling semi-final tie against the European side.
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The Indian men’s badminton team scripted history by reaching their maiden Thomas Cup final on Friday. The Asian side came from behind to beat Denmark 3-2 in an exhilarating tie at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Former world no. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty and HS Prannoy were the ones who came up with victories for India in the thrilling semi-final tie against the European giants. Srikanth has been in stunning form in this edition of the competition, having won all 5 of his matches so far while Prannoy has delivered twice in must-win situations.
MISSION?
Dream of a billion plus just came true. Absolute champion stuff from our boys as they became the first ever ??team to advance into the ?????S of #ThomasCup
Kudos to entire coaching team & support staffs. Take a bow?@himantabiswa#ThomasCup2022#IndiaontheRise pic.twitter.com/cGdeFJIZD7
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) May 13, 2022
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India has entered the title-decider of the Thomas Cup for the first time since the tournament began 73 years back. India retained the same line-up from Thursday’s quarter-final win against Malaysia and it worked for them as they won two singles ties to get the better of Denmark, who won the bronze medal in the last edition. On May 12 India reached its first ever semi-final in 43 years courtesy of a 3-2 win over Malaysia.
In the first match, India’s Lakshya Sen lost to Danish superstar Viktor Axelsen. India’s top ranked shuttler, lost to the reigning Olympic champion in straight games 13-21, 13-21 in 49 minutes. However, Rankireddy and Shetty, India’s top ranked doubles pairing, won the first doubles match of the tie against Kim Astrup and Mathias Christiansen to make 1-1. The Indian duo clinched the first game 21-18 but the second game stretched and the Danes pocketed it 23-21 to take the match to the decider. In the final game, the Indians displayed remarkable temperament and skill to clinch the match 22-20.
It was then Srikanth’s turn to face world no. 4 and former All England champion Anders Antonsen. The in-form Indian shuttler prevailed 21-18 in the first game. But Antonsen showed his class to clinch the second game 21-12 and made things even. Srikanth needed to regroup himself after falling behind early in the decider and the Indian did just that. The world championship silver medalist pocketed the third game 21-15 to put India ahead 2-1 in the gripping tie.
In the fourth match, the Indian duo of Krishna Prasad and Vishnuvardhan battled it out against Anders Akaarup Rasmussen and Frederik Sogaard. The Denmark duo eased their way past the Indians with a comfortable 21-14, 21-13 in 39 minutes. In the all-important fifth match, Prannoy delivered once again. The first game was won by Danish player Rasmus Gemke 21-13 before Prannoy bounced back 21-9 in the second game to make it 2-2. Prannoy played with determination to clinch the decider 21-12 and give a memorable 3-2 win to India.
