Badminton: India clinch Thomas Cup gold, beat 14-time champions Indonesia
The Indian badminton men's side has entered the record books by winning its first-ever Thomas Cup title in Bangkok, Thailand. India beat 14-time champions Indonesia 3-0 in a historic final on Sunday. Interestingly, this was the first time India had reached the final of the tournament. The likes of Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, and Kidambi Srikanth guided India to this historic win.
Why does this story matter?
The first edition of the Thomas Cup was held in 1948. Notably, the competition comprises member nations of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Indonesia have won the tournament most times (14), while China follow them with 10 titles. Malaysia have five titles, with Denmark and Japan winning gold once. And, India have become the sixth nation to clinch the Thomas Cup title.
History for Team India!
India win the final 3-0
Srikanth beat Jonatan Christie 21-15, 23-21 in the second singles match, thereby handing India their first-ever gold medal in the Thomas Cup history. Earlier, Lakshya came from behind to stage a brilliant victory over world number five Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (8-21, 21-17, 21-16). Thereafter, Rankireddy and Shetty overcame Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the doubles encounter (18-21, 23-21, 21-19).
Srikanth finishes with a perfect 6-0 record
Srikanth finished the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record. He beat Wang Tzu Wei, Brian Yang, Kai Schaefer, NG Tze Yong (quarter-final), Anders Antonsen (semi-final), and Jonatan Christie (final) throughout the tournament. Srikanth won three two-game victories.
India overcome Indonesia in the final
India commenced their campaign in the Thomas Cup with a 5-0 win over Germany. The Indians then registered a similar victory against Canada (5-0). Thereafter, Chinese Taipei defeated India 3-2. India bounced back with a phenomenal win over five-time champions Malaysia (3-0). India recorded a second consecutive win, beating 2016 champions Denmark 3-2. They won the title by defeating Indonesia 3-0.
