02 October,2023 08:26 AM IST | Hangzhou | mid-day online correspondent
The silver medal-winning Indian men’s badminton team. PIC/AFP
Injured HS Prannoy's absence hurt India as they went down fighting 2-3 against badminton powerhouse China to sign off with their first-ever silver medal in the men's team championships at the Asian Games here on Sunday.
After World No. 7 Prannoy was ruled out due to a back injury, Lakshya Sen produced a gutsy show in the first singles with a 22-20, 14-21, 21-18 win over World No. 6 Shi Yuqi.
Also Read: Pak talk up bowling strength
World No. 3 doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then bossed over World No 2. Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang 21-15, 21-18 to put India 2-0 ahead.
ALSO READ
That's her personal opinion, I don't agree with that: Vinesh on Sakshi's claims
Puneri Paltan Coach BC Ramesh Hopes to See Kabaddi at the Olympics in the Future
Hockey, shooting, cricket, badminton among key sports axed from 2026 Glasgow CWG
'It’s a dream win': Leclerc
Sakshi feels Bajrang, Vinesh were selfish
So, it was once again left to K Srikanth to carry the team on his shoulders. The former World No. 1 couldn't go the distance as China fought back to make it 1-2 after Srikanth went down 22-24, 9-21 against All England champion Li Shifeng.
Scratch pair of Dhruv Kapila and Sai Pratheek Krishna Prasad then lost 6-21, 15-21 to World No. 8 Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi, while Prannoy's replacement Mithun Manjunath, ranked 53, went down 12-21, 4-21 against World No. 20 Weng Hong Yang in the third singles as India finished second best.