The Indian women’s badminton team shocked Singapore 4-1 in their second Uber Cup 2024 encounter at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on April 28. With this win, the Indian women sealed a quarter-final spot in the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup 2024. This marked the fourth time that India have reached the semifinals of the Uber Cup. Before this, they earned that spot in 1957, 2014 and 2016.
Isharani Baruah and Anmol Kharb shine
The opening match saw a thrilling upset as 24-year-old Ashmita Chaliha's 15-21, 18-21 defeat to world no. 18 Yeo Jia Min. The match last lasted 30 minutes. Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra initiated the fightback and thrashed Xiao En Heng and Jin Yu Jia 21-15, 21-16. After this, Isharani Baruah defeated Insyirah Khan in another straight game 21-13, 21-16 to give India a 2-1 lead within half an hour. Simran Singhi and Ritika Thakker stunned Yi Teng Elsa Lai Zan Michelle 21-8, 21-11 to ensure India’s victory. In the fifth and dead rubber, Anmol Kharb defeated Xin Yi Megan Lee to finish a 4-1 rout of Singapore that lasted 34 minutes.
India overwhelm Canada 4-1
In the opening tie, India overwhelmed Canada 4-1 in the Group A tie of the Uber Cup in Chengdu, China, on April 27. On the flip side, host China blanked Singapore 0-5 in the other group tie. However, Ashmita Chaliha, Isharani Baruha, Priya Konjengbam, Anmol Kharb and Shruti Mishra dazzled in India's outstanding victory. The young brigade never made Indians feel the absence of veteran players like PV Sindhu and Ashwini Ponnappa in the team.
With these twin wins, India now stand in the second position behind China in group A. The two teams will face each other on April 30 in their final group match to decide the top spot. After this clash, China will fight against Canada later in the day. The result will decide the quarterfinal spots for both India and China.
In the men’s category, India will face England on April 29 in their second group C tie. Defending champions Indian men's badminton team defeated Thailand 4-1 in the Thomas Cup Group C opener on April 27.
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