Alwin-Nandagopal win Iran Challenge

Alwin (FCI, Kochi) and Nandagopal (CAG, Hyderabad), the elder brother of singles World No. 5 K. Srikanth, defeated another Indian pair Tarun Kona and Saurabh Sharma 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9 in the final.

Kidambi Nandagopal and Alwin Francis after winning the Iran International Challenge.

After losing a year with a major knee injury and surgery, badminton doubles star Alwin Francis regained much of his confidence by winning the Iran International Challenge with a new partner, Telangana’s Nandagopal Kidambi, at Zanjan on Thursday.

Alwin (FCI, Kochi) and Nandagopal (CAG, Hyderabad), the elder brother of singles World No. 5 K. Srikanth, defeated another Indian pair Tarun Kona and Saurabh Sharma 9-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9 in the final.

“We started playing just two months ago and this is my first title with Nandagopal,” said Alwin from Iran on Thursday night.