Indonesia scored a self-goal and committed harakiri. There was no logical reason to field a scratch combination for the first doubles at the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok on Sunday. Doubles is a team game with partners knowing exactly what the other one is doing. It takes years of practice. The 14-time champions, gunning for the 15th title, dug their own grave.
Marcus Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo have won every one of their 11 encounters. Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan play together but Ahsan partnered Sukamuljo, who normally pairs up with Marcus Gideon and this pair have won every one of the encounters against the Indians.
It was an opportunity that Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy embraced with glee and won the crucial first doubles which enabled India to win the Thomas Cup. I would say it’s a victory which is on par with the cricket World Cup of 1983. On paper, India had no business to reach the finals. No one gave the team a ghost of a chance.
A win from nowhere
Even in the group stage they were the No. 2. India lost to Chinese Taipei and finished second and then to stun Malaysia, Denmark and Indonesia was something remarkable. Legend Prakash Padukone said: “This is one huge victory—comprehensive and complete— in every way. It is going to make badminton a very popular sport in India. I am indeed very happy. I must confess, however, that I did not expect India to win the Cup so fast. I thought winning the Cup is some eight to 10 years away. But to get it now and in this style, is simply amazing.
‘Most balanced team ever’
“To defeat three top teams in a row is stunning. I also think this was the most balanced team ever for India.” The badminton great singled out Shetty and Satwiksairaj for major applause: “If we can have player of the series in badminton then I will name these two doubles players who did a great job. They sensed that the scratch combination can be handled and they went for the jugular, carving out a tense three-game victory to take India to point number two.”
Prakash Padukone
Former chief coach Vimal Kumar who trains Lakshya Sen at the Padukone academy in Bangalore, said that HS Prannoy was simply outstanding. “Look at the way he controls the proceedings. We won against Malaysia and Denmark by the skin of our teeth, thanks to Prannoy. He is courageous in his stroke selection and enjoys a good fight on the court.
“Against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke, Prannoy had a slight ankle twist while going for a deep lift from the net area off his backhand. But instead of thinking negatively, he played one of the most controlled innings ever seen. Like a puppet master he controlled the movements of Gemke with very clever game, never losing sight of the goal and that was to win the Thomas Cup.”
Prannoy has defeated every top name in the game in his glittering career. Names like Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia, and the greatest of them all—Lin Dan of China—all have bitten the dust at his balletic feet. When in full flow, Prannoy is sheer poetry in motion, lovely to watch.
Steely Sen started it all
Sen endured food poisoning and had to take couple of days rest. For the first singles position, he was about to become irrelevant as weakness engulfed him. He had lost to singles specialists from China Taipei, Malaysia and Denmark and it seemed he would return home with no victory to his name. But then, what a turnaround.
Losing the first game 9-21 he went into overdrive in the second and on turbo charge in the decider, moving around with awesome speed, he carved a great win against Anthony Ginting, taking India ahead 1-0. He played like a man possessed and he played his best badminton ever. Kidambi Srikanth, the cool dude, plays classical badminton. The former World No.1 was in devastating form at Bangkok. And against Jonatan Christie in the finals, he played superb badminton.
The net dribbles and counters, the signature high jump to deliver bullet smashes or reverse swing drops were all there, getting him points when needed. Christie, the Asian Games gold medallist of 2018 and silver medallist at Asian Championships in Manila recently, was a tough nut to crack. But playing to a plan, Kidambi carved out point after point with ease to win 21-15, 23-21.
And now, to HS Prannoy. I asked him what flashed through his mind when he got hurt. He said: “It did come to my mind that I should leave this match. But then, I saw all the eager youngsters waiting with bated breath for an Indian victory and I said to myself that for them, that is the Indian fan, and for my fellow players I simply had to go into the arena and play my best. There was no other option.”
‘We owe it to the country’
He added, “The Indian team are playing for India’s glory. The nation has done so much for us. It is now payback time. We owe it to the country. We can sacrifice any cash prize money tournament for national duty by playing team championships like Thomas Cup, Sudirman Cup, Commonwealth and Asian Games team events.”
Tweet talk
President Ram Nath Kovind@rashtrapatibhvn
Heartiest congratulations to the Indian badminton team for first-ever Thomas Cup victory! The team has created history, setting highest standards for the future. I have high appreciation for the skills, resilience & temperament shown by the team. India is proud of the champions.
Narendra Modi@narendramodi
The Indian badminton team has scripted history! The entire nation is elated by India winning the Thomas Cup! Congratulations to our accomplished team and best wishes to them for their future endeavours. This win will motivate so many upcoming sportspersons.
Abhinav Bindra@Abhinav_Bindra
What a historic day! An incredible achievement by an incredible Team India to win the #ThomasCup for the first time ever!! Bounced back from tough situations on numerous occasions to win Gold. Kudos to all the players and coaches. Champions, all of you.
Saina Nehwal@NSaina
Congratulations TEAM INDIA Men’s Team for winning the THOMAS CUP Title…Great win.
Taapsee Pannu@taapsee
History !!!! India wins Thomas cup the first time they reached finals !!! Take a bow boys.
Sachin Tendulkar@sachin_rt
Historic moment for all Indians! What a day for Indian Badminton. Congratulations to the whole team on winning our maiden #ThomasCup title..
Virat Kohli@imVkohli
A historic achievement and a massive moment for Indian badminton. Congratulations Team India on winning the Thomas Cup
