Positive start for Indian teams in Thomas and Uber Cup. badminton news

Indian shuttlers were in good form on the opening day of the Thomas and Uber Cup badminton tournament with both the teams registering 4-1 wins over their respective rivals in their opening matches on Saturday. Ashmita Chaliha produced an inspiring performance to stun high-ranked Michelle Lee as the Indian women’s team recorded a clinical win over Canada and then their men’s counterparts, the defending champions, did the same against Thailand in the Thomas Cup Group C encounter. Gave results.

Left-handed Chaliha, ranked 53rd, showed great mental resolve and toughness as she defeated world No. 25 Li, a gold and silver medalist at the 2014 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, 26-24 24-22 in the opening singles match that lasted 42 minutes. Confrontation.

Chaliha, who was part of India’s maiden Asia Team Championship win in February, took up the leadership role in the absence of top players including PV Sindhu and performed well against Li, who is on her way back from surgery for a torn meniscus. Right knee last August.

Young women’s doubles pair of Priya Konzengbam and Shruti Mishra, who won the Senior National Championships title last December, defeated Katherine Choi and Jessalyn Chow 21-12, 21-10 to take India 2-0 up.

Ishrani Barua defeated Wen Yu Zhang 21-13, 21-12 to help India take an unassailable 3-0 lead.

In the second women’s doubles, Simran Singhi and Ritika Thakar lost to Jackie Dent and Krystle 19-21, 15-21, before national champions Anmol Kharb defeated Eliana Zhang 21-15, 21-11 in the fifth and final match. Won an easy victory.

There are big matches ahead for the young Indian team as they will face Singapore and China in Group A on Sunday and Tuesday respectively.

In the Thomas Cup, HS Prannoy took to the court first but lost 20-22, 14-21 against Kunlavut Vitidsarn and India trailed 0-1.

After this, the star Indian men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had to struggle for 65 minutes to level the score by defeating Peerachai Sukhpun and Pakkapon Terarataskul 21-19, 19-21, 21-12.

After this, Lakshya Sen fought for 63 minutes and gave India the lead by defeating Panitchaphon Tiraratsakul 21-12, 19-21, 21-16.

The second Indian men’s doubles pair of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila turned the match in India’s favor by defeating Tanadon Punpanich and Wachirawit Sothon 21-19, 21-15.

In the inconsequential final match of the contest, Kidambi Srikanth defeated Saran Jamshree 21-9, 21-5 in just 29 minutes.

Indian women will play Singapore in their next Group A match in the Uber Cup, while the men’s team will face England in their second match on Monday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)