Asian Games 2018 Badminton News: Prannoy’s Power in Vain

Indian Men’s Team failed to register the Semi-Finals berth after losing to the Indonesians in the Quarter-Finals match with 1-3 at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In the first match of the Men’s Team, Srikanth had an advantage of slender 11-10 and cruised to 14-11 lead. Ginting with the crowd support pushed harder to level at 15-15, 21-21, and eventually the game ended with a big smash from the forecourt with 23-21.

In the second game, Sinusuka cruised with 5-3 up after Srikanth fumbles on a backhand return.

Some deft touch and quick hands at the net allowed the Indian to come back with 8-8.

It is a tough challenge from the Indonesian who is posing the equal play alongwith the Indian. Ginting made Srikanth to move all over the court and after a lot of drama down the wire, the former save the game 22-20.

In the decider, Srikanth lost the rhythm. The game saw all the power from the Indonesian who invested the first point to the team with 21-10.

In the second Quarter-Finals match of the Men’s Doubles, the young pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty proved too good for their presence at the Games.

With their agility and great rapport, the Indians build a slender lead of 12-11 against the world no.1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, who later came back with a 16-11 lead and the game concluded with 21-19.

The unstoppable pair Satwik and Chirag with the same stride cruised to a lead of 11-6 by the breather. But, the numero uno duo proved their worth with their great turnaround to trail Indians with 12-14.

The Indians reduced the deficit before the Indonesians get the match with 21-19.

In the third match of the Quarter-Finals tie, the beast Prannoy composed the tight show which witnessed the neck-to-neck encounter against Jonathan Christie.

Prannoy opens up a 7-6 lead before the 11-8 to his advantage by the half-time; the Indian managed to the upper hand and secured the first game with 21-15.

Christie took the match towards the decider with his lion-hearted effort; the Indonesian from 11-10 lead to 19-15, struggled hard to end the match. But, the Indian tried harder with his smashes and straight four points gain to level with 19-19.

The third game was do-or-die for the Indian. And he did with significant 21-19 win to open India’s account of the day.

In the fourth match of the tie, Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy managed to reach the Indonesians by 7-7, before the fine lead of 11-10. But, the Indonesians take the first game with 21-14.

After the great flexibility exhibition and power, Indians failed to add anymore point to settle with 18-21.