Badminton Asia Team Championships final, India vs Thailand highlights, IND 3-2 THA: Anmol, PV Sindhu, Treesa-Jolly shine as Indian women win historic gold

HISTORY FOR INDIAN BADMINTON- Anmol Kharb wins against Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-14, 21-9 and scripts history for India. India beats Thailand 3-2 in the Badminton Asia Team Championships final as India women win their maiden gold medal in the history of the competition. 

A big stroke of luck for Anmol as the shuttle hits the net and falls on Pornpicha’s side. The Thai player cannot do anything but just look. Match point for Anmol and 12 match points left for the youngster. 

Pornpicha’s return is wide again and now Anmol is three points away from making history. 

A long rally culminates with Pornpicha trying to go for a cross-court smash but her shot is wide and Anmol has a nine-point lead at the moment. This is amazing, given Anmol’s young age and the grandeur of the occasion. She is playing with the confidence of a veteran. 

Pornpicha with another error as she tried to for a placed shot. Anmol’s lead keep increasing and she looks the favourite to bag the title for India now. 

Pornpicha messes up a seemingly simple return and Anmol will enter the changeover with a six-point lead. 

Pornpicha with another unforced error in a bid to return Anmol’s smash and the Indian has a four-point lead..

Anmol thought she had won a point after the umpire called Pornpicha’s return ‘long.. But Pornpicha successfully takes a challenge and the umpire overturns his decision. 

That is thrice that Pornpicha has shot her return wide and that too, in the same direction. This is just making it easier for Anmol in the deciding game. 

Pornpicha does well to open the scoring in the second game but ends up wasting a chance to double her lead by putting her return wide. 

Pornpicha’s return is wide and Anmol clinches the first game. She is just one game away from winning India its maiden Badminton Asia Team Championships title. But expect Pornpicha to come out with her best. 

Another unforced error by Pornpicha gives Anmol six game points. 

Anmol shows good net play and Pornpicha is made to stretch for the return. But the Thai shuttler did not have any answer for the second shot by Anmol and Pornpicha ends up conceding an error in a bid to return. 

A well-crafted rally between the two players and Anmol did keep her patience to carve out an opening. But a smash by Pornpicha proves troublesome for the youngster. 

Pornpicha with another unforced error and Anmol manages to get a three-point lead over her opponent.

A cracking rally ends with a brilliant smash from Anmol, which Pornpicha cannot return. She goes into the interval with a one-point lead.

Pornpicha with an error on serve and Anmol has a chance to go into the interval with a two-point lead. 

Four points on the trot by Anmol and she hits a cracking winner to gain the lead over her higher-ranked opponent. 

Consecutive errors from Anmol gives Pornpicha a three-point lead over the young Indian shuttler at the moment. 

A rocket of a return down the line by Pornpicha and she is level in the match. 

Anmol concedes her first error of the match as she went for the spectacular return. 

Pornpicha with an early error and Anmol gets the first point of the match. It might do the youngster a lot of good. 

This is the deciding match. The winner of this match will clinch the title. 

An easy day at the office for the Aimsaard sisters as they cruise to a 21-11, 21-9 win in Match 4 and brings back Thailand back on level terms. 

Another cheap error by India and Thailand has nine match points. 

Nuntakam hits a venomous smash down the line from the back of the court. Shruti did have time to read the flight of the shuttle but still could do anything about it. 

The Aimsaard sisters’ returns are proving too challenging for Priya and Shruti. The shot selection by the Indians is also poor and they are not finding the correct spaces to attack. 

Priya with a beautiful smash from the net and Benyapa could do nothing about it. 

The Aimsaard sisters are on cruise control and look favourite to win the match and bring back Thailand on level terms. 

Nuntakam places her return beautifully, right at the left corner of the court and neither Shruti nor Priya could get to the shuttle. 

Shruti misses her return again and ends up conceding the error and it is a five-point lead for the Aimsaard sisters right now. The difference in quality is visible at the moment. 

Benyapa and Nuntakam enjoying a clear superiority in the court at the moment and they have won three straight points. The inexperience of the Indian duo is visible. 

The Aimsaard sisters take the first point in the second game as Priya’s return falls wide. 

The Aimsaard sisters take 13 minutes to clinch a 21-11 win in the first game.

Benyapa smashes it down the middle and the Aimsaard sisters have nine game points. 

A sloppy error for Priya to concede and the Aimsaard sisters are running away with the first game. 

Mishra’s return comes off the frame but it will count as India tries to close the gap with the Aimsaard sisters. 

Nuntakam with a silly error and it reduces the deficit for the Indians. 

Relentless smashes down the line and Benyapa gives a two-point lead to the Thai duo ahead of the changeover. 

A third consecutive error by India and the Aimsaard sisters are in the lead. Shruti goes for return a body smash and concedes the error this time. 

Priya concedes an error and it is two errors on the trot for India. Scores are level at the moment. 

Consecutive good serves by the India duo and they now enjoy, a two-point lead against the Aimsaard sisters. 

Benyapa with a convincing cross-court smash, which proves to be too much for Shruti. And the Aimsaard sisters are level wth the Indian duo. 

India in the lead as Benyapa’s return falls wide. This is not going to be easy by at all for India but a good start by Priya and Shruti nonetheless. 

Busanan breezes through this match and wins 21-11, 21-14 against Ashmita to bring back Thailand in this tie. 

A string of errors by Ashmita and Busanan, she now, has a four-point lead against Ashmita. 

Busanan had all the time in the world to go for her smash. Ashmita tries her level best to return it and dives at full-stretch but fails to do so. 

Ashmita makes an error in judgement as she leaves Busanan’s return thinking it is long. But it is just in and Busanan has a one-point lead again. 

Ashmita makes an error and Busanan maintains her one-point lead over the Indian. Ashmita had earlier made it 10-10 as Busanan’s shot was long. 

Busanan comes from behind and takes the lead as the players break for the interval. 

Busanan tries to go for a spectacular return - a no-look one - to be precise but fails to control her shot. Ashmita’s smash was just too powerful. 

A thunderous smash from Busanan brings her back level on points in this second game. Ashmita had no chance to return that. 

Ashmita wows the crowd with an excellent return, which was the hard part. However, she botches the simple part by putting the shuttle out of play, as she tries to return Busanan’s serve. 

Busanan’s return is intially called in but Ashmita goes for a challenge and it is a successful one. The decision is overturned and the Indian gets a two-point lead against Busanan. 

Busanan makes an error and for the first time in this match, Ashmita is ahead. It is important that she builds on this lead. 

A walk in the park for Busanan in the first game against Ashmita. With due credit to Busanan, Ashmita did look loose in her shot selection, especially at the start. 

After losing two points on the trot, Busanan comes back strongly with a wonderful chop that takes Ashmita by surprise. 

A loose shot from Busanan gives an easy point to Ashmita. Almost a touch of complacency there from Busanan, given the lead she enjoys over the Indian at the moment. 

Two consecutive errors by Ashmita and Busanan has an eight-point lead over Ashmita. The game is quickly slipping away from the Indian. 

Busanan starts strongly after the changeover and smashes successfully to get a six-point lead over Ashmita. 

It is wide by Ashmita again as she goes to return Busanan’s smash. The Thai has a six-point lead against the India and looks to be in control of the first game. 

Ashmita finding it difficult to control the shuttle and as of now, most of her shots are long. Busanan not having to break a sweat at the moment. 

A good response by Ashmita as she goes for a crosscourt smash. Busanan had no chance to return that. 

Four points on the trot for Busanan. Ashmita not looking the most confident with her shot selection. 

Ashmita got her first point of the match but conceded another error to give a two-point lead to Busanan. 

The first point goes to Busanan as Ashmita makes an error. 

Treesa and Gayatri wins the game 21-16, 18-21, 21-16 and gives India a 2-0 lead against Thailand. 

Two consecutive errors from the Thai duo and it is match point for the duo of Treesa and Gayatri. They have five match points. 

Some close exchanges at the net lead to a good rally but Gayatri wins the point with a venomous smash. The Thai were completely wrong-footed and it is advantage India at the moment. 

Gayatri wins the latest points for India courtesy of an incredible smash near the net. It is two points on the trot for the Indians. 

For the first time since 6-6, the Indians have managed to draw level courtesy of a wonderful cross court smash from Treesa. 

Gayatri’s return is called out and she immediately goes for the challenge. The challenge is unsuccessful and the Thai regain their two-point advantage. 

Two smashes for Gayatri and a finishing blow and the Indians are within a point of catching up with the Thai duo. 

Surely the rally of the match - Kititharakul showed immaculate defence from the ground but the Indians kept hounding with the continuous smashes and finally force Jongjai into conceding the error. 

The Thai start with a three-point lead after the changeover. 

Cheap errors have proved to be the downfall for the Indians and now, the Thai has a four-point lead against Treesa and Gayatri. 

A cheap error by Treesa and suddenly, the Thai duo has a two-point lead against the Indians. 

And the Thai duo has levelled the score again as Jongjai’s smash down the middle proves too much for Gayatri. 

After being tied at 5-5, Treesa makes a good return to give India the lead again but the Indians have not being able to build on a lead. 

A beautiful change in direction by Gayatri, as she approached the net and the Thai cannot do anything about it. The Indians are level on points. 

Treesa with a thumping smash down the middle and brings India back level on points in the third game. It is two point in a row for the Indians. 

Gayatri’s return is long and Thailand builds a two-point lead early in the third game. 

The third game starts similar to the second game. Neither team has a clear and early advantage. 

Kititharakul ends the second game with an excellent smash down the middle and it is 1 game each. We will have a third and deciding game. 

The Thai have an unsuccessful challenge and the Indians reduce the deficit to three points. 

It is far too easy for the Thai as they restore the four-point lead. Gayatri makes a defensive error. Game point for Thailand. 

The Indians have gifted two points way to the Thai and the two-point lead is restored. 

Jongjai’s return is called long but she challenges it. Treesa shouted at her partner to let it go. Hawkeye shows that the initial call was correct and the deficit is cut down to a point for the Indians. 

Some ferocious attacking by Treesa and in a bid to return her serve, Jongjai’s return ends up falling outside way outside the court. The deficit is cut down to two. 

Gayatri concedes an error and it is another point for the Thai. The game is slipping away from the Indians. 

A rare error in the second game from Jongjai and the Indians reduce the deficit to four points. 

A remarkable change in angle from the defence by Kititharakul and the Thai duo have a four-point lead. 

The Indians again scramble with their defence and the Thai take advantage, as Jongjai goes for a body smash, directed at Gayatri. The Indian cannot return it and the Thai have a two-point lead again. 

The Indians show good defence but the Thai onslaught proves to be too much for Treesa and Gayatri. Two points on the trot give the Thai a two-point lead over the Indians. 

Treesa’s shot is long and the teams are locked at 9-9. Before this, the score had been locked at 7-7 and 8-8. What an excellent game this is turning out to be from a neutral perspective. 

An excellent return by Kititharakul catches out the Indian duo and Thailand is back level in the second game. The second game is turning out to be a close one. 

The Thai lost a bit of momentum in the last two points. Behind at the start, Jongjai makes an error and India has a two-point lead at the moment. 

It is poor shot selection from Jongjai and Gayatri punisher her with a venomous smash. The Thai tries to return it but hits the net. The Indians are level in the second game. 

Gayatri’s shot looked like it would go out but she made it and the shot was called in. The Indian duo wins their second point of the second game. 

Another two points on the trot for Thailand and it is a strong start by them in the second game. 

Kititharakul’s smash was initially called out but she goes for a challenge and hawk-eye shows that the umpire’s call was wrong. The Thai duo gets the first point of the second game. 

Another error and Treesa and Jolly have clinched the first game 21-16. 

An error from Jongjai gives Treesa and Jolly four game points. 

If there is something called champagne badminton, then Treesa’s last shot was the best example of it. Jongjai goes for cross court smash and expects Treesa to return it in the same direction but with a flick of her wrist, she changes direction completely and the Thai duo is completely dumbfounded. 

A wonderful cross court smash from Treesa and Kititharakul has no answer to that. Another point for the Indians and they are slowly clinching towards winning the first game. It is still early to point out a clear winner. It is still anybody’s match. 

Another excellent rally - Treesa kept pressing and Kititharakul finally crumbled under the pressure and ends up conceding an error. 

From 8-8, the Indians now have a seven-point lead. It was an incredible rally but Jongjai makes a meal of her return and concedes an error to gift a point to the Indians. 

A meaningful advantage for the Indians, with a couple of points on the trot. The Indian duo seems to have figured out their angles, which they weren’t able to do during the initial period in this first game. 

A cracker of a match this and both the teams going head-to-head. Kititharakul wins the latest point. 

Treesa did not have the angle there and still went for the attack. She is punished by Jongjai, whose rocket of a return gives no chance to the Indian. 

Treesa Jolly with a shot of beauty. From a tight angle, she finds the space to go crosscourt and Jongjai has no answer to the shot. The Indian duo takes the lead for the first time in the match. 

A delicate touch by Treesa takes the Thai by surprise and the Indians are level on points. 

After two straight points for the Kititharakul-Jongjai duo, Treesa and Jolly get a point as their opponent overhits the shot and the shuttle falls outside the court. 

A good start to the match as India and Thailand have a point each. 

Match 2 is the women’s doubles and it will be Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela vs Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Pra Jongjai

PV Sindhu wins the first match 21-12, 21-12 against Supanida Katethonng and gives India a 1-0 lead against Thailand. 

Supanida showed immaculate defence to return the first smash of Sindhu but could not do anything with the second one. Match point for Sindhu. 

Sindhu makes an error in judgement as she waits for the shuttle to land outside the court. A point for Supanida but no serious concern for the Indian. 

Finally a point for Supanida with a perfectly placed shot at the right corner of the court, which Sindhu could not read. Sindhu is still the clear favourite to win the match. 

Another error by Supanida and Sindhu has a 10-point lead over her opponent. It will be very surprising if she does not go on to clinch the match from here. 

PV Sindhu continues her onslaught and she wins her latest point with a perfect example of power and placement. Supanida tries to return at full stretch but fails to do so. Three straight points for the Indian. 

Sindhu had challenged a decision after Supanida’s crosscourt smash was called in. A long wait for hawk-eye and in the end, there seems to be a glitch. Finally the decision comes and Supanida’s shot is called in. She gets the point. 

Sindhu uses sheer power to win two points on the trot. Not exactly smashes to the body but Supanida’s reach fails her. Sindhu opens up a five-point lead. 

Supanida with ample time and space and she uses that to her advantage with a thumping smash. Sindhu has no answer and Supanida wins her third straight point. 

Supanida’s errors are not helping her and PV Sindhu looks to be running away with the match. The Thai is still in the match but needs to work on conceding less errors. 

A delicate touch from Sindhu at the net takes the shuttle just beyond the reach of Supanida. It was a well-controlled rally, where the Indian always seemed in control. 

Supanida continues with her errors and Sindhu takes the lead for the first time in the second game. Sindhu wins three straight points. 

Supanida started well, clinching the first two points but Sindhu showed her power with a thumping crosscourt smash and her opponent had no answer. First point for Sindhu in the second game. 

Sindhu’s shot is long and just falls outside the court and Supanida takes the first point of the second game. 

Another cheap error by Supanida and PV Sindhu takes the first game. A strong start for India. 

Another error by Supanida gives game point to Sindhu. 

PV Sindhu lines one up and smashes one down the middle. One could almost feel the point going Sindhu’s way as soon as she hit the smash. So close to clinching the first match. 

Another error from Supanida and Sindhu reaches the 15-point mark. It looks to be a difficult recovery for the Thai from this position. Sindhu is the favourite to take the first match. 

The rally of the match so far, which Supanida wins with an excellent smash down the middle. Sindhu tries to react in time but fails to do so. 

Supanida is no match for Sindhu’s net play and the Indian is running away with the first game here. An eight-point lead at the moment. 

An error in judgement from Sindhu and a brilliant crosscourt smash from Katethong allowed her to gain two points but in the last point, the latter overhits her shot and Sindhu gets a six-point lead in the first match. 

Supanida tries to drag Sindhu in a rally battle but the Indian star’s reach proves to be too strong for the Thai. Sindhu enjoying a healthy lead at the moment. 

Supanida came back with a couple of points but fails to break Sindhu’s momentum. Supanida’s unforced errors helping Sindhu’s cause. 

India’s PV Sindhu with an excellent start as she takes the first four points. Katethong having difficulty in returning Sindhu’s serve. 

PV Sindhu takes on Supanida Katethong in the first match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC 2024) final. 

PV Sindhu vs Supanida Katethong

Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela vs Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Pra Jongjai

Ashmita Chaliha vs Busanan Ongbamrungphan

Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra vs Benyapa Aimsaard/Nuntakarn Aimsaard

Anmol Kharb vs Pornpicha Choeikeewong

Indian women’s team, led by two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu, takes on Thailand in the final of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia with the event set to crown a new first-time winner.

The world No. 23 pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, world No. 53 Ashmita Chaliha and 17-year-old Anmol Kharb registered stunning wins in the first doubles and second and deciding singles to lead India to a 3-2 victory over Japan in the semifinals.

SQUADS

India Women’s Squad For BATC Final: Ashmita Chaliha, Tanisha Crasto, Treesa Jolly, Anmol Kharb, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Ashwini Ponnappa, Pullela Gayatri Gopichand, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, Tanvi Sharma.

Thailand Women’s Squad For BATC Final: Benyapa Aimsaard, Nuntkarn Aimsaard, Lalinrat Chaiwan, Laksika Kanlaha, Supanida Katethong, Jongkolphan Kititharakul, Tidapron Kleebyeesun, Phataimas Muenwong, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Rawinda Projongjai.

When will the India vs Thailand Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) women’s final start?

The India vs Thailand BATC final will start at 7:30 AM IST on Sunday, February 18.

Where to watch India vs Thailand BATC final?

The India vs Thailand BATC final can be live-streamed on the official YouTube channel of the Badminton Asia Team Championships

The tournament does not have any official broadcast in India.