India women recorded a historic Gold medal with a thrilling win over Thailand in the final of the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 in Malaysia on Sunday, February 18. Youngster Anmol Kharb once again rose to the occasion with a clutch win in the singles that sealed India's 3-2 win over three-time champions.
Ace shuttler PV Sindhu won her singles match with a dominant performance against Supanida Katethong to give India a lead. Youngsters Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand then extended India's lead to 2-0 with a thrilling 21-16, 18-21, 21-16 win over Thailand pair Jongkolphan-Rawinda in the doubles event in the second match.
Thailand managed to bounce back in the third match with Busanan Ongbamrungphan thrashing Ashmita Chaliha by 21-11, 21-14. Then Benyapa-Nuntakarn pair leveled the score to 2-2 with another dominating 21-11, 21-9 win against Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra in the last doubles game.
India entered the final as second favourites and with two back-to-back defeats but Anmol Kharb stunned the world in the final game. The 17-year-old Anmol, ranked 472 in the world, defeated the world no.45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong by 21-14, 21-9 to make a 3-2 win for the Indian women's badminton team.
India vs Thailand in Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 Final results:
- PV Sindhu beat Supanida Katethong by 21-12, 21-12 (India 1-0 Thailand)
- Treesa/Gayatri beat Jongkolphan/Rawinda by 21-16, 18-21, 21-16 (India 2-0 Thailand)
- Busanan Ongbamrungphan beat Ashmita Chaliha by 11-21, 14-21 (India 2-1 Thailand)
- Benyapa/Nuntakarn beat Priya/Shruti by 11-21, 21-9 (India 2-2 Thailand)
- Anmol Kharb beat Pornpicha Choeikeewong by 21-14, 21-9 (India 3-2 Thailand)
India recorded unexpected wins against China, Hong Kong and Japan (in the semifinal) and once again proved title odds wrong with a thrilling triumph in the final. Anmol Kharb, making her debut, emerged as the best player in the tournament with a string of consistently impressive performances in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated team India for the historic Gold and added that the success will motivate newcomers in sports.
