Indian sports wrap, July 19: India enters Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships quarterfinals
BADMINTON
Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team championships: India enters quarterfinals with commanding win over UAE
India booked its place in the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships after registering a commanding 110-83 win over the United Arab Emirates in its Group D encounter, here on Saturday.
The victory came on the back of India’s strong opening-day performance against Sri Lanka on Friday.
With Hong Kong also notching up two wins from two matches, both the teams have secured their spots in the knockout stage.
India and Hong Kong will now clash on Sunday to decide the Group D topper.
The tournament is being played under a relay scoring format, where teams race to 110 points across 10 matches.
India got off to a flying start with girls’ singles player Rujula Ramu defeating Mysha Khan 11-5, followed by the mixed doubles pairing of C Lalramsanga and Taarini Suri extending the lead to 22-11.
India maintained its lead throughout the contest despite spirited resistance from the UAE in a few matches. At the halfway stage, the scoreboard read 55-41 in India’s favour.
US Open finalist Tanvi Sharma then delivered a clinical performance against Madhumita Sundarapandian to stretch the lead to 66-46.
Lalramsanga returned to court, this time partnering with Reshika U in the second mixed doubles rubber, where they outplayed Adithya Kiran and Mysha Khan 11-5 to take India further ahead to 77-51, effectively putting the team in the driver’s seat.
India had achieved its best result in the mixed team event back in 2011, clinching a bronze medal.
-PTI
