The response of the doubles is not enough against China
Despite a brave performance by two doubles teams, India lost to China 2-3 in the semi-finals and settled for bronze at the Asian Mixed Team Badminton Championship in Dubai on Saturday.
A day when singles commute HS Prannoy and PV Sindhu flattered to deceive, Chirag Shetty-Dhruv Kapila and the young couple of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand assured that India was forcing the decision maker. However, the mixed doubles pair of Ishaan Bhatnagar and Tanisha Crasto lost at Jiang Zhen Bang et Wei Ya Xin 17-21, 13-21.
Chirag and Dhruv defeated He Ji Ting and Zhou Hao Dong 21-19, 21-19 after HS Prannoy and PV Sindhu suffered defeats against little-known Chinese opponents in the opening two matches. Treesa-Gayatri survived anxious times to beat Liu Sheng Shu et Tan Ning 21-18, 13-21, 21-19 to make it 2-2 for India.
The second-tier Chinese team put on a fine display against the experienced Indians. Earlier, Prannoy was nowhere in the contest against world No. 121 Lei Lanxi. The world No. 9 Indian lost 13-21, 15-21. Sindhu suffered a 9-21, 21-16, 18-21 loss to world No. 101 Gao Fang Jie. Although Sindhu won the second match and dominated most of the third, the Chinese, who beat the Indian in 2017 and 2018, kept her composure at 18-18 in the decision. Gao won three consecutive points at this crucial moment to outclass the Indian.
After Chirag-Dhruv made it 2-1 in the third game, Treesa-Gayatri nearly lost the match. In the deciding game, the Indians squandered a big lead but made amends towards the end.
Leading 15-9 in Game 3, they gave the Chinese eight straight points. Trailing 18-19, the girls picked up three big points to claim a tough victory after an hour and 17 minutes on the pitch.
In the final, China will face South Korea.
