Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian men’s badminton team created history on Friday as they entered the final of the Thomas Cup for the first time. The Indian team defeated Denmark 3-2 in the semi-finals. India will now face Indonesia in the summit clash on Sunday, May 15.
HS Prannoy produced yet another brilliant performance in the deciding fifth match to clinch the semi-final against the Danes. The Indian team has never gone past the semi-finals after 1979. They showed tremendous fighting spirit to bounce back from a match down to defeat the 2016 champions. While world championships silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth and world number 8 doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty kept India in the hunt, it was once again left to Prannoy to take the team home when the tie was locked 2-2.
Prannoy suffered an ankle injury after slipping on the front court while going for a return against World No 13 Rasmus Gemke but the Indian continued after taking a medical timeout. He looked in pain and his on-court movement also looked restricted but despite all odds, he produced a sensational performance to come up trumps 13-21 21-9 21-12 to etch India’s name in the history books.
India will now take on 14-time champions Indonesia, the most successful team in the history. Indonesia edged out Japan 3-2 in the other semi-final.