India made history on Monday by beating defending champions Malaysia to win its first ever Commonwealth Games badminton mixed team gold in Gold Coast.
The mixed doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa came back from an 8-12 deficit in the decider, scoring seven points in a row to take a 15-12 lead. They went on to beat Malaysia’s Rio Olympic silver medalists Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying 21-14, 15-21, 21-15.
Kidambi Srikanth, the world No. 2, then extended India’s lead to 2-0. He outlasted three-time Olympic silver medalist Lee Chong Wei in a closely contested match, 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 Hope Alive
Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong kept Malaysia in the tie by beating Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 21-15, 22-20 in men’s doubles. That result narrowed Malaysia’s deficit to 1-2.
Nehwal Seals the Gold
In the women’s singles, 2010 Commonwealth Games women’s singles gold medalist Saina Nehwal made sure India would not let the title slip away, despite a spirited fightback from Malaysia’s Soniia Cheah.
Nehwal won the first set easily, 21-11. Cheah then 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. The second set was decided 21-19.
The world No. 29 Cheah appeared to find a new gear. She returned everything Nehwal sent her, and her strategy 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 clinch 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.