The Indian badminton team has created history by beating 14-time winners Indonesia in the Thomas Cup 2022 final. India’s juggernaut started with Lakshya Sen’s victory over world number five player Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. Sen has a poor start as he lost to Ginting by 21-8 in the first set. However, he came back strongly and beat the Indonesian by 21-17. The deciding set was a closely contested one, won by the India player by 21-16.
After this game, the first doubles game was played between India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty and Indonesia’s Mohammad Ahsan/ Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo. Jus like Sen, the Indian pair started with a loss. They lost the first set by 21-18 but came back to level the game by winning the next set by 23-21. This set was a closely contested one. Just like the second set, both teams fought fiercely but the game was clinched by the Indian pair by 21-19.
After the double’s game, the next and the final one was the singles game between Kidambi Srikanth and Jonatan Christie. Srikanth was dominating the first set with a whooping lead of 8-2 at one stage. However, Christie came back strongly and leveled the set by 8-8 but Srikanth won the set by 21-15. The second set was a closely contested one between the two but was taken by the India player by 23-21.
This victory ensured that India created history by winning the maiden Thomas Cup title. The victory has come against all odds as the team was up against 14 time champions. This victory will inspire thousands of Indians to take up the sport in the future. Meanwhile, Twitter went berserk as soon as India won the title.
Here’s a look at some of the notable reactions:
Goosebumps. This podium wala national anthem. #ThomasCup
— Lavanya 🎙ï¸ðŸŽ¥ðŸ‘©ðŸ»â€ðŸ’» (@lav_narayanan) May 15, 2022
History made. Welcome to India #Thomascup! Phenomenal!
Jai Hind 🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/EO3wW0q8d2— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 15, 2022
What a historic day! An incredible achievement by an incredible Team India to win the #ThomasCup for the first time ever!! Bounced back from tough situations on numerous occasions to win Gold. Kudos to all the players and coaches. Champions, all of you!
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 15, 2022
Historic moment for Indian sport! Congratulations, and take a bow Team India 🙌🼠🇮🇳 #ThomasCup pic.twitter.com/e42D01eCm3
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 15, 2022
INDIA ARE THE 2022 THOMAS CUP CHAMPIONS!!!
Kidambi Srikanth beats Jonatan Christie 21-15 23-21 as 🇮🇳 beat 14-time champions Indonesia 3-0 to win a historic first #ThomasCup in the 73 year history of the tournament. pic.twitter.com/XWuT4V2IvN
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) May 15, 2022
To breach the Indonesian citadel, to be the Thomas Cup champions, red-letter day for Indian sports #ThomasCup 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 15, 2022
History !!!!
India wins Thomas cup the first time they reached finals !!!
Take a bow boys !!! #ThomasCup @Shettychirag04 @satwiksairaj @PRANNOYHSPRI @srikidambi @lakshya_sen #Vishnu #Krishna pic.twitter.com/7oMfBwlduU— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) May 15, 2022
India are #ThomasCup Champions. This has to be one the greatest sporting moments for India.
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) May 15, 2022
Can you believe it?
First-time finalists India lead defending & 14-time champs Indonesia 2-0 in the #ThomasCup final… with both ties seeing young 20-something Indian players come back from a game down for gritty wins!
Over to the veteran Shrikanth now.
India a match away!— Zenia D'cunha (@ZENIADCUNHA) May 15, 2022
Can you believe it?
First-time finalists India lead defending & 14-time champs Indonesia 2-0 in the #ThomasCup final… with both ties seeing young 20-something Indian players come back from a game down for gritty wins!
Over to the veteran Shrikanth now.
India a match away!— Zenia D'cunha (@ZENIADCUNHA) May 15, 2022
Wow! India have won the #ThomasCup. Another barrier broken!!! #LakshyaSen is a glittering star. He dives or lunges, before getting up to chase the shuttle through forehand flanks the next moment.
Also congrats to Srikanth, Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Prannoy…
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 15, 2022
Wow! India have won the #ThomasCup. Another barrier broken!!! #LakshyaSen is a glittering star. He dives or lunges, before getting up to chase the shuttle through forehand flanks the next moment.
Also congrats to Srikanth, Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Prannoy…
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) May 15, 2022
The Indian badminton team has scripted history! The entire nation is elated by India winning the Thomas Cup! Congratulations to our accomplished team and best wishes to them for their future endeavours. This win will motivate so many upcoming sportspersons.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2022
What a moment for Indian Badminton! ðŸ‘🻠ðŸ¸
Congratulations to the team for winning over Malaysia and entering the semifinals of the #ThomasCup, assuring 🇮🇳 a medal!
Well done Srikanth, Prannoy, Chirag, Satwiksairaj & Lakshya. pic.twitter.com/9OlFhBBMLO
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 13, 2022