Indian Women’s Badminton Team Stuns China, Men’s Team Triumphs Over Hong Kong in BATC 2024
Indian badminton takes a historic turn as the women’s team, led by PV Sindhu, records their first-ever win against China in the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024.
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In a remarkable turn of events at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024, the Indian women’s badminton team, under the leadership of PV Sindhu, achieved a historic feat by securing their first-ever victory against China. Simultaneously, the men’s team exhibited dominance, defeating Hong Kong and confirming their place in the quarterfinals.
PV Sindhu, making a comeback to competitive badminton since the French Open last October, showcased both form and confidence. She led the charge with a compelling performance in the opening rubber against Han Yue, contributing to India’s 3-2 triumph in the Group W clash. The young debutante, Anmol Kharab, played a crucial role with an inspired performance, ensuring a 3-2 scoreline in favor of India.
In the men’s team event, India continued its winning streak by defeating Hong Kong 4-1, securing a top-two finish in Group A. Despite an initial setback with HS Prannoy’s loss in the opening men’s singles match, the Indian team rebounded strongly. The world no. 1 men’s pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty initiated the turnaround, and victories by Lakshya Sen, MR Arjun, and Dhruv Kapila sealed the deal for India.
Expressing relief and joy, Badminton Association of India General Secretary Sanjay Mishra commented, “It is a special feeling to see the team beating China. More importantly, we showed faith in the youngsters while selecting the team, and I am happy they delivered the goods.”
With only two teams in Group W, India is set to qualify for the quarterfinals as the top team. The men’s team, facing China for the final Group A fixture, anticipates a challenging yet promising encounter.
The Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 not only showcases outstanding performances but also offers valuable Race to Paris 2024 ranking points. These points are crucial for shuttlers aspiring to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games. Additionally, this edition serves as the Asian qualifiers for the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup scheduled to be held in Chengdu, China, in April-May. The competition is a pivotal platform for players to secure their places and make significant strides in their badminton careers.
–IANS
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