India concluded its 2022 Commonwealth Games campaign with 61 medals to finish a creditable fourth place
India concluded its 2022 Commonwealth Games campaign with 61 medals to finish a creditable fourth place
Led by PV Sindhu, the Indian Ferries took the badminton arena by storm by winning all three titles on offer that day, while paddler Sharath Kamal once again reminded everyone of his class and impressive longevity with a resplendent show, as the country wrapped up its CWG campaign. with 61 medals to finish in a meritorious fourth.
Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and the formidable pairing of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were expected to finish atop the podium, but what provided the icing on the cake was the gold medal-winning performance of 40-year-old Sharat Kamal against an equally good opponent in Liam Pitchford.
Big loot despite the disappearance of the shooters
That performance brought India’s gold medal tally to 22, down four from the 2018 edition, but this time the sport of shooting was not on the list. Shooters contributed seven golds to the haul of 66 Gold Coast medals, and considering that, India certainly put on a good show.
However, with Australia’s 0-7 thrashing of the men’s hockey team, when at least some spirited fighting was anticipated, the Games ended on a somewhat disappointing note.
The way India relented took the joy out of the silver medal she achieved.
India’s final tally was 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze and they fell behind third-place Canada, which was far ahead with 92 medals (26-32-34). Australia (67-57-54) finished on top ahead of hosts England (57-66-53).
Team India flag bearers Achanta Sharath Kamal and Nikhat Zareen lead the team during the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, UK | Photo Credit: PTI
Sharath Kamal’s fantastic campaign
Going back to TT, Sharath and G. Sathian had lost to England’s Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall in the men’s doubles gold medal match, but on Monday, both Indians got their revenge.
This was after Sathiyan had beaten Drinkhall 11-9 11-3 11-5 8-11 9-11 10-12 11-9 in an exciting but harrowing bronze playoff.
Sharath edged out the nimble-footed 29-year-old Briton 11-13 11-7 11-2 11-6 11-8 to claim his second CWG singles gold after 16 years. He had won the singles title at the 2006 Melbourne Games.
The superstar paddler will return from Birmingham with a rich haul of four medals, having won gold in men’s teams and mixed teams, in addition to his silver in men’s doubles.
With Monday’s sensational gold, Sharath has taken her medal total to 13 in the CWG since making her Games debut in 2006.
badminton gold rush
The closing day of the Games kicked off with superstar Sindhu adding a CWG gold to her already bulging collection with a convincing straight win over Canadian Michelle Li.
The world number seven from India outclassed her 13th-ranked opponent 21-15, 21-13 in front of a packed crowd at the NEC Stadium.
“I had been waiting for this gold for a long time and I finally got it. I’m super happy. Thanks to the crowd, they made me win today,” Sindhu said after the final.
Later, Sen, ranked 10th, came from behind to end Ng Tze Yong’s giant-slaying run in the competition. The 20-year-old defeated the world number 42 from Malaysia 19-21, 21-9, 21-16.
Sen was at his best attacking in the decider and led until the end. Yong tried his best to come back, but Sen was unstoppable. He converted his first match point after a long play, which led to a frenzied celebration that saw him throw his racket into the stands.
“It was tense at the beginning, I had to work very hard. Yong also played a great tournament. Congratulations to him too,” Sen said after a hard-fought match.
India’s star doubles pair Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won the country’s third gold on the badminton court with a straight game win over England’s Ben Lane and Sean Mendy at the Commonwealth Games. The Indian duo won 21-15, 21-13.
India thus ended a fantastic badminton campaign with three golds, one silver and two bronzes.
Disappointment in hockey final
While the ferries and rowers dazzled, Australia dazzled India with its breakneck speed and relentless attacks in hockey, extending their dominance in the Games.
Since the introduction of hockey at the 1998 Games, Australia has always been at the top of the podium.
This is India’s third loss against Australia in a CWG final, having lost to them at the 2010 and 2014 editions of the Games.
Nathan Ephraums and Tom Wickham each scored a brace, while Blake Govers, Jacob Anderson and Flynn Ogilvie also found the net in lopsided competition.
It was a far cry from what was expected in a gold medal clash, as a dominant Australia scored five goals in the first half to take the game away from India.
