India demonstrated strength and skill in their final Group C tie against Australia, triumphing with an impressive 4-1 win in the Sudhirman Cup badminton tournament on Wednesday. Although India had already been eliminated from the knock-out race, they were determined to end the tournament with a powerful performance.
In the “group of death”, India had previously lost 1-4 to Chinese Taipei and 0-5 against Malaysia – two of the game’s heavyweights.
The mixed doubles pair of Sai Pratheek and Tanisha Crasto lost their opening match against Kenneth Zhe Hooi Choo and Gronya Somerville, despite putting up a good fight in a 21-17 14-21 18-21 defeat.
However, HS Prannoy drew the scores level for India, sweeping to a commanding 21-8 21-8 win over Jack Yu in just 28 minutes.
India fielded Anupama Upadhyaya in the women’s singles in place of PV Sindhu, with nothing at stake. The youngster rose to the occasion, securing a 21-16 21-18 win over Tiffany Ho.
MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila then clinched victory in the men’s doubles, defeating Ricky Tang and Ryane Wang 21-11 21-12, and securing an unassailable 3-1 lead for India in the contest.
To finish the contest in style, the women’s doubles pair of Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa crushed Kaitlyn Ea and Angela Yu 21-19 21-13, giving India a consolation win.