Harpal Singh Bedi
30 September 2023
New Delhi, 30 September: India had a mixed luck in Asian Games Badminton team events as women’s team, spearheaded by PV Sindhu, crashed out of contention ,The men’s team, featuring Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth, confirmed a medal after 37 years in Hangzhou on Friday..
India last won a men’s team medal at the Asian Games in 1986 . The squad, led by Syed Modi, clinched bronze at Seoul
In the women's team quarter-finals, Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, Ashmita Chaliha and Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly all lost as India went down 0-3 to Thailand.
Sindhu won her first game against Pornpawee Chochuwong in the opening singles but lost next two games 21-14, 15-21, 14-21.
In the doubles, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly lost 19-21, 5-21 to Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai. In the third match, Ashmita Chaliha fell 9-21, 16-21 to Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
The women’s team had defeated Mongolia 3-0 in its round of 16 match on Thursday.
Later in the day, men’s team defeated Nepal 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals. They will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Indonesia and Korea in the semis on Saturday. India was handed a bye in the first round.
In the first men’s singles Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen cruised to a 21-5, 21-8 win over Prince Dahal. Kidambi Srikanth then beat Sunil Joshi 21-4, 21-12 to double the lead.
In the final singles , Mithun Manjunath got the better of Bishnu Katuwal 21-2, 21-7 to confirm India’s first medal in badminton at Hangzhou. Since losing semi-finalists in badminton events at the Asian Games win bronze..
The singles, doubles and mixed doubles events will start from October 2.
