In a heart-wrenching setback for the Indian men’s badminton team, star player HS Prannoy will miss the historic gold medal match at the Asian Games Hangzhou due to an injury suffered on Sunday, as reported by Olympics.com. Prannoy’s absence from the lineup is a major blow to India’s hopes for securing their first-ever gold medal in the team event.
Also Read: India Dominates Archery Qualification at Asian Games 2023
The Indian men’s badminton team had scripted history on Saturday by defeating South Korea in a thrilling semifinal, securing their place in the team events final at the Asian Games for the very first time. The team’s remarkable journey had assured them of at least a silver medal, but their sights were firmly set on the coveted gold as they prepared to face off against China in the final.
HS Prannoy had been instrumental in India’s journey to the final, delivering a stellar performance in the semifinal match against South Korea’s Hyeokjin Jeon. In a display of skill and determination, Prannoy mounted a remarkable comeback to secure a hard-fought victory with a scoreline of 18-21, 21-16, 21-19 against his formidable opponent.
However, just as the Indian men’s badminton team was gearing up for the historic gold medal clash against China, they received the unfortunate news of Prannoy’s injury. This setback left the team facing a challenging situation, as they had to reshuffle their lineup at the last moment.
Mithun Manjunathan has been named as the replacement for the injured Prannoy in the men’s singles clash. The Indian team now faces the daunting task of taking on a strong Chinese team in their pursuit of the gold medal. The much-anticipated showdown between India and China in the men’s team badminton event is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM IST.
The Indian contingent will need to rely on the collective strength of their team and draw inspiration from their historic semifinal victory to give their best shot against China. The lineup for the Indian team in the final includes notable players such as Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, Dhruv Kapila, and Sai Pratheek, who will all play pivotal roles in their quest for gold.
Despite the unexpected setback of Prannoy’s injury, the Indian men’s badminton team remains determined and focused on their goal of clinching the gold medal at the Asian Games. Their journey to the final has already made history, and they will be aiming to create an even more memorable moment by defeating the formidable Chinese team in the final showdown.
