The Indian women’s badminton team on Saturday reached the final of the Badminton Asia Championships for the first time in the history of the competition, defeating Japan 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal.
The final showdown will see India facing off against Thailand.
The clash began with star shuttler PV Sindhu leading the charge against Japan’s Aya Ohori. Despite a valiant effort from Sindhu, Ohori managed to outplay her, securing a straight-set victory of 21-17, 22-20 and earning Japan their first point.
With India trailing 0-1, Treesa-Gayathri took the court determined to level the tie against the Japanese duo of Matsuyama-Shida. In a fiercely contested battle that extended to three sets, the Indian pair emerged victorious with a nail-biting scoreline of 21-17, 16-21, 22-20, bringing India back on level terms at 1-1.
Maintaining the momentum, Ashmita Chaliha delivered a stunning upset against former world champion Nozomi Okuhara, securing a commanding victory of 21-17, 21-14 and giving India a 2-1 lead.
However, Japan retaliated fiercely as Miyaura-Sakuramoto defeated India’s Sindhu-Ponappa team in straight sets of 21-14, 21-11, leveling the game at 2-2 and setting the stage for a dramatic final showdown.
The pressure was on Anmol Kharb to secure the decisive victory for India and propel them into the finals. With nerves of steel, Kharb rose to the occasion, defeating Japan’s Nidaira Natsuki in two straight games of 21-14, 21-18, clinching the final game and propelling India to the much-coveted final berth.
The Indian contingent’s historic journey in the Badminton Asia Championships has been marked by grit, determination, and stellar performances, showcasing their prowess on the international stage. As they gear up to face Thailand in the final, expectations and excitement run high for the Indian women’s badminton team as they aim to script another chapter of glory in their remarkable journey.