India has made history at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games by beating defending champions Malaysia to win its first ever Commonwealth Games badminton mixed team gold on Monday.
The mixed doubles combination of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa came back from an 8-12 deficit, scoring seven points in a row to take a 15-12 lead in the decider against Malaysia’s Rio Olympic silver medallists Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying. The Indian pair eventually won 21-14, 15-21, 21-15.
World No. 2 Kidambi Srikanth then extended India’s lead to 2-0 when he outlasted three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei in a mouth-watering clash, winning 21-17, 21-14. It was his first win over the Malaysian icon in five career meetings.
“Perhaps Lee was not at his best but then you can never be too sure against a player like him. You always have to be on your guard, which I was. And I also gave my best. I was not expecting it to be this easy,” said Srikanth.
Malaysia Keeps Its Hopes Alive
Malaysia responded in the men’s doubles. Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong beat Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 21-15, 22-20 to narrow Malaysia’s deficit to 1-2.
Saina Nehwal Seals the Gold
India’s Saina Nehwal, the 2010 women’s singles gold medallist, then took to the court in the women’s singles match. She was clearly determined not to let the gold medal slip, despite a spirited fight back from Malaysia’s Soniia Cheah.
Nehwal won the first set easily, 21-11. Cheah fought back from 3-7 down in the second set. She took a medical break to tape up her bruised fingers, then clinched four straight points to lead 15-13 and went on to take the set 21-19.
The world No. 29 Cheah appeared to find a different gear. She returned everything Nehwal sent her, and her game plan of pushing shuttlecocks to the lines at every opportunity almost paid off as she led 9-8.
However, Cheah’s speed and stamina began to fade. Nehwal took full advantage, reeling off 13 points to win the third set 21-9 and secure the mixed team gold for India.
“It was exhausting, I actually lost focus during the match but thankfully managed to hold it together and ensure that the gold medal winning shot was mine. It is a medal that I will forever cherish, it is very special. Team gold is always way more cherishable,” said Nehwal.
“I don’t think anybody in the team is going to sleep tonight. Maybe I will just relax tomorrow and then think about the singles,” added Nehwal.