Thomas Cup: Momentous Win
The India Commentary view
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By Our Editorial Team
First publised on 2022-05-16 06:10:38
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The India Commentary view
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The Indian Thomas Cup win is as exciting and momentous as the cricket World Cup win under Kapil Dev in 1983. Both were unexpected and achieved through skill, hard work, self-belief and sheer determination. In badminton, India this year had two singles players and one doubles pair that ranked among the best in the world. Lakshya Sen is at number 9 and K Srikanth at number 11 while the doubles pair of S Rankireddy and C Shetty is at number 8. Yet, India has never performed to potential in team events and no one, outside India, gave the team a chance. But in India, there was a buzz that this was our best team in many years and given the current form of the players, they were in with a chance.
That it was not going to be easy was obvious. Malaysia, Denmark, Indonesia, China and Japan are all seasoned Thomas Cup teams and rank much higher than India. But the way the players rallied behind each other, gave their best shot and displayed big match temperament and nerves of steel to come back from the brink in many important matches and win was a treat to watch. Several Indian players ooze talent but their individual brilliance fails in team events. But this team has combined talent with the killer instinct, determination and nerves of steel to come up winners and the best example of this is H S Prannoy who played two outstanding matches in the quarterfinals and the semi-finals, despite being injured and in visible pain, to take India to the finals.
The win has been hailed by all ex-players. Prakash Padukone said that this is our best team while Pullela Gopinath said that the Chinese and the Malaysians would have laughed even five years ago if they were told that India will win the Thomas Cup in 5 years. Truly, this is an achievement that will be remembered for ages and, hopefully, do for badminton in India what the 1983 win did for cricket.
