Badminton Asia Team Championships: India women make HISTORY! Anmol Kharb gives side 3-2 win over Thailand in Final

It was a super Sunday for Indian fans as a spirited Indian squad etched their names in history, clinching the gold medal by defeating Thailand 3-2 in the five-match clash of the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships. Despite the inability to watch it live, fans remained glued to whatever streaming mode was available, eager to witness the Indian shuttlers make history.

ALSO READ | Badminton Asia Team Championships - Fans ask where's the live stream for India vs Thailand Final showdown? 

Following victories from PV Sindhu and the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, the other singles player, Ashmita Chaliha, and the doubles pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra suffered defeats, levelling the score at 2-2. However, once again, Anmol Kharb emerged as the hero for India, securing the decisive victory.

In the clash, PV Sindhu got India off to a flying start against Thailand, triumphing over Supanida Katethong with a score of 21-12, 21-12. 

The women's doubles encounter, featuring the Indian pairing of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, squaring off against Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, saw a battle between the World No. 23 and World No. 10, respectively. With each team securing one win apiece, the contest was deadlocked at 1-1, but the Indians took the lead with a score of 21-16, 18-21, 21-15.

The third game saw Ashmita Chaliha take on Busanan Ongbamrungphan in what proved to be a tough fight, as the Thai opponent is a well-known name in the badminton circuit. Chaliha fell short as Busanan Ongbamrungphan pulled one back for Thailand, winning the tie 21-11, 21-14.

In the second doubles contest, the Indian pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra faced Thailand's Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard. Thailand drew level as Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard defeated the Indian pair 21-11, 21-9.

Once again, it all came down to 17-year-old Anmol Kharb to shoulder the task as she faced Pornpicha Choeikeewong. Kharb put on a strong performance against the 45th-ranked player, securing the victory for India with a score of 21-14, 21-9.

On Saturday, in the semi-finals against Japan at Shah Alam, Malaysia, the Indian shuttlers battled fiercely to win 3-2 and cement their spot in the gold medal match, having already secured their first medal at the event by advancing to the semis.

The standout performers of the event were undoubtedly the doubles duo of Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand, along with the young talents Ashmita Chaliha and the 17-year-old Anmol Kharb, who secured pivotal victories for the Indian team.