Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Defending champions India suffered a 2-3 loss to Thailand in the second Group Y match of the women’s section of the Asian Badminton Team Championships on February 5. Thailand delivered an impressive performance to secure the top position in Group Y, while India finished in second place as both teams progressed to the quarter finals.
Indian women were off to a flying start as world No. 42 Tanvi Sharma stunned world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in a three-game contest, which lasted one hour and three minutes. Then the doubles duo of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly moved past Tidapron Kleebyeesun and Nattamon Laisuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11 to extend India’s lead to 2-0.
However, Thailand managed to regain their footing in the tie when Rakshitha Ramraj was unable to sustain the momentum, losing to the 19-year-old Pitchamon Opatniputh with scores of 19-21 and 17-21. Thailand managed to level the tie and force a deciding fifth match after Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra were defeated by Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan with scores of 21-19, 14-21, and 15-21.
In the decisive fifth rubber, Malvika Bansod was defeated by Pornpicha Choeikeewong with scores of 18-21 and 14-21 in a match that lasted 40 minutes, enabling Thailand to secure the tie and finish at the top of the group.