India reaches Badminton Finals, beats Denmark in a thriller
India has always been a cricket frenzy nation as other sports always took a back seat. Although players from other sports like shooting, wrestling, boxing and badminton made India proud, yet they could not still match the flare of cricket. India creates history in Thomas Cup semifinals as they beat Denmark. As the Indian players take on the mighty Indonesians who have won the tournament 14 times, three of India’s participants have posted victories against their Indonesian opponents.
Srikanth leads the country as India reaches finals against Indonesia
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Lakshya Sen’s ranking enabled India to reach its maiden finals. Although Lakshya has not won any matches, it has enabled the side to place its best team of Kidambi Srikanth and H.S Pranoy as its second and third choices. is yet to shine, his ranking enabled the country to reach its maiden final. Some of the world’s best players are missing the tournament due to injuries. Consequently as the things appear, India might not need the heroics of HS Prannoy.
Players put a determined fight as India reaches badminton finals
The Indian players held their nerves to script a victory against the strong Danish team led by Viktor Axelson. The team reached their maiden final with a 3-3 win over the Denmark in an epic thriller contest. The last best performance of the Indian shuttlers was in 1952, 1955 and 1979. India will now play Indonesia in the historic final on Sunday.
Results of Semifinals of India vs Denmark
Lakshya lost to Viktor Axelson after a spirited fight
India started their semifinal start with Lakshya Sen, ranked ninth in world rankings against the world number 1 player Viktor Axelson. Both faced each other two times before, with the score level at 1 match each. While Lakshya shocked the Danish ace in the German Open semis in March, Viktor beat the Indian in the All England Open Finals later in the month. In spite of a great fight, Lakshya Sen lost teh match 13-21, 13-21 in 49 minutes.
Doubles players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy levelled the tie
India’s top doubles Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy levelled the tie with a thrilling victor against Kim Astrup and Mathias Christiansen 21-18, 21-23, 22-20 in one hour and 17 minutes. Although the Danish team lead the decider 8-5 in the decider, the Indian duo turned it around to level the series 1-1.
Kidambi Srikanth beat world silver medallist Anders Antonsen
India took the lead in the tie again with Kidambi beating the world championship silver medallist Anders Antonsen 21-18, 12-21, 21-14.Kidambi initially started slow but recovered to take the first game. Although the Danish came back in the second, the Indian took the decider to seal the match.
Danish team level the series with doubles victory
The Denmark team levelled the series 2-2 after Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Frederik Sogaard beat the Indian pair of Vishnu Panjala and Krishna Garaga in straight sets 21-14, 21-13.
Prannoy stepped up to seal India’s victory in an epic thriller
With the scores tied at 2-2, it was the last match that decided the winner. Although injured , Prannoy came from behind to beat Rasmus Gemke 13-21, 21-9, 21-12 to see India past the line. Interestingly Prannoy had posted a picture of Lakshya before the semis and tweeted “This is it”. Interestingly it was Prannoy to ensured that this indeed was it.
Also read: Sindhu blames poor umpiring for her loss in Badminton Asia series