Crucial: The tie between Malaysia’s Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (right) and Chirag Shetty (below) could turn the tide for either side in the mixed team final.
INDIA badminton have the depth.
And they will be out to make a quick kill for a possible 3-0 win when they take on Malaysia in the mixed team final at the National Exhibition Centre.
On Monday, India showed their prowess when they buried Singapore’s hopes with a convincing 3-0 win in the semi-finals.
The powerful Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty hardly gave the space or opportunity to Terry Hee Yong Kai-Andy Kwek Jun Liang in their 21-11, 21-12 win in the men’s doubles.
P.V. Sindhu also did not stay too long on court as she blew away Yeo Jia Min 21-11, 21-12 in the women’s singles while Lakshya Sen gave a solid show to take down world champion Loh Kean Yew 21-18, 21-15 in the men’s singles.
Before the India versus Singapore tie, Malaysia had defeated England 3-0 in another semi-finals.
Based on India’s current form, all points indicate they are on track to defend the gold medal.
Malaysia won the mixed team event at the Commonwealth Games three times on the trot before India halted them in the 2018 Gold Coast final with a 3-1 win.
The only point India lost was in the men’s doubles when Satwiksairaj-Chirag lost to Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong.
So, Satwiksairaj-Chirag have more reasons to come good in their second Commonwealth Games and they will go all out against Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to make up for their disappointment four years ago.
And they have improved compared to their form and maturity in their game then.
They are ranked seventh in the world, just one rung below Aaron and Wooi Yik but the standard between the two pairs is equal.
The duo proved their worth by playing extraordinary badminton en route to leading India to the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok in May but they withdrew from the Malaysian Open last month due to injury to Chirag.
Chirag, however, has recovered and is looking at doing well in the Commonwealth Games, which is an equally important tournament to India as it is for Malaysia.
“The Commonwealth Games and the World Championships are our two main goals left to accomplish this year. We want to enter the top five in the world and we believe, this is very much achievable,” said Chirag in one of the recent interviews.
The men’s doubles could really turn the tide for both sides.
India are stronger in the men’s singles and women’s singles while Malaysia have a better chance of winning in the mixed doubles and women’s doubles.
Whether India field youngster Lakshya or seasoned campaigner Srikanth, who defeated Lee Chong Wei in the final tie at the last mixed team event, it will be tough for Ng Tze Yong. On paper, it’s also quite tough for Goh Jin Wei to break the resolve of P.V. Sindhu.
Malaysia’s mixed pairs, may it be Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing or Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See, both have better chance to win while Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah too have a good chance for victory based on their current form.
The fighting spirit may turn the tide for Malaysia to dethrone India.
