INDIA have made one of the most remarkable achievements in sports when they beat reigning champions and 14-time winners Indonesia 3-0 in a pulsating final to clinch their maiden Thomas Cup crown in the edition this year at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, today.

India’s top singles shuttler Lakshya Sen drew first blood when he downed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 8-21, 21-17, 21-16 to set the tone to inspire the underdogs to an impressive victory.

Though the world number nine was completely outclassed by the world number five 8-21 in the first game, the Indian shuttler regained his composure and staged an astonishing comeback to win the next two games to give India a flying start.

Indonesia have only themselves to blame after their first doubles pair Mohammad Ahsan-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, who beat Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-18 in the first game, crumbled in the next two games.

However, Satwiksairaj-Chirag turned the tables on the Indonesians to win 21-18, 23-21, 21-19 in a 73-minute match to tighten India’s grip on the prestigious Thomas Cup.

Buoyed by Lakhsya and Satwiksairaj-Chirag’s splendid displays, India’s second singles shuttler Srikanth Kidambi dug deep into his reserves to deny Indonesia a way back by outlasting Jonatan Christie 21-15, 23-21.

The 29-year-old Guntur-born former world number one, however, had to slog away before sealing the victory that sparked pandemonium in the Indian badminton camp.

The moment Srikanth earned the winning point – courtesy of a smash to Jonatan’s left – will forever be etched in the minds of all India supporters.

A jubilant Srikanth was then mobbed by ecstatic teammates and officials as they danced and jumped for joy on the court.

“I was extremely happy and glad to see my teammates stepping up to beat Indonesia and win our first Thomas Cup,” said Srikanth.

Lakshya, who suffered from food poisoning ahead of the tournament and which took a toll on his performance leading up to the final, said he never thought that India could go this far.

“My dad’s presence in the stadium truly pumped me up to deliver the first point for India.”

India began their magical journey by winning their first two games against Canada and Germany with identical 5-0 scores, before losing their final match against eventual Group C champions Taiwan 2-3.

But they defied all odds to edge Malaysia 3-2 in the quarter-finals before stunning 2016 champions Denmark, also 3-2, in the last four, en route to being crowned the new kings of badminton in the most prestigious team tournament in the world.

India now join the likes of China, Denmark, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia as countries that have won the Thomas Cup since the inaugural finals in 1949. – Bernama, May 15, 2022.