look news india
Shah Alam, 17 February (HIST). The Indian women's team has created history by defeating Japan 3-2 in the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) 2024 here on Saturday and reaching the final for the first time.
Facing a strong Japanese side, the Indian team performed remarkably and achieved a memorable victory.
In the first match of the semi-finals, top Indian shuttler PV Sindhu suffered a 17-21, 20-22 defeat at the hands of Aya Ohori, leaving India trailing 0-1.
After this, the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand performed brilliantly and leveled the match at 1-1 by defeating the pair of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida in a tough match 21-17, 16-21, 22-20.
After this, Ashmita Chaliha surprised everyone by defeating experienced Nozomi Okuhara in straight games 21-17, 21-14, giving India a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth match, India entered with the pair of Sindhu and Ashwini Ponnappa in the absence of injured Tanisha Crasto. However, Japanese pair Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto had no difficulty in defeating the Indian pair 21-14, 21-11 and Japan leveled the score at 2-2.
The stage was set for an exciting finale, with 17-year-old Anmol Kharab stepping up to the challenge despite his limited experience in the tournament.
Reigning national champion Kharab displayed strong determination and impeccable skills to defeat world number 29 Natsuki Nidaira in straight games 21-14, 21-18 to ensure India's historic win and a place in the final.
