India made history on Monday at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, defeating defending champions Malaysia to win the first Commonwealth Games badminton mixed team gold in the nation’s history.
The mixed doubles pairing 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 against Malaysia’s Rio Olympic silver medallists Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying. The Indian pair went on to win 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 medallist Lee Chong Wei in a closely contested match, winning 21-17, 21-14. It was Srikanth’s 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’s hopes were revived by Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, who beat Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty 21-15, 22-20 in the men’s doubles to narrow Malaysia’s deficit to 1-2.
Nehwal Seals the Gold
India’s hopes rested on the women’s singles, where the 2010 Commonwealth Games women’s singles gold medallist Saina Nehwal was not going to let the title slip. She faced a spirited fight back from Soniia Cheah of Malaysia.
Nehwal won the first set comfortably, 21-11. Cheah then recovered from 3-7 down in the second set and, after a medical break to tape up her bruised fingers, clinched four straight points to lead 15-13. Nehwal edged the set 21-19.
The world No. 29 Cheah appeared to find a new gear in the third set. She returned everything Nehwal sent over and kept pushing shuttlecocks to the lines at every opportunity, which paid off as she led 9-8. However, Cheah’s speed and stamina began to fade. Nehwal seized the moment, reeling off 13 consecutive points to win the 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.