India Creates History with First-Ever Badminton Asia Team Championship Title
The Indian women’s badminton team made history by winning the Badminton Asia Team Championships held in Malaysia. India secured a 3-2 victory against Thailand in Sunday’s final, claiming the trophy for the first time. Led by PV Sindhu, the Indian team featured young players in the tournament, while Thailand, two-time bronze medalists, played without star players Ratchanok Intanon (world number 13) and Pornpawee Chochuwong (world number 16). Despite being out of court for four months due to injury, Two Olympic medalists Sindhu displayed brilliant play.
In the final, Sindhu defeated world number 17 Katethong Supanida 21-12, 21-12, giving India a 1-0 lead. The doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand ranked 23rd in the world, secured a 21-16, 18-21, 21-16 victory against the 10th-ranked pair of Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, putting India ahead in doubles.
In the second singles, Ashmita Chaliha lost to No. 18 Busanan Ongbanrunhphan 11-21, 14-21. Similarly, in the second doubles match, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam were defeated by Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard 11-21, 9-21, leveling the score at 2-2. In the final and decisive singles match, the 17-year-old Anmol Kharb defeated Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-14, 21-9 to clinch the victory.
Notably, the Indian men’s team had previously won bronze medals twice (in 2016 and 2020) in this competition but this time they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
