We created a Whatsapp group titled ‘We’ll Bring It Home’ before tournament: Srikanth said and delivered it

It was a memorable and historic day for Indian badminton on Sunday (May 16, 2022) as the nation witnessed the Indian men's badminton team lifting the trophy of the Thomas Cup for the first time ever. This line itself gives goosebumps for all of the Indians. The Indian men's team produced a historic performance to blank 14-time winners Indonesia 3-0 in the summit showdown of the prestigious tournament.

 

More than grit and commitment, there was desperation in their eyes to make the impossible possible. Kidambi Srikanth was the rock of the team and led the team really like a leader. Speaking about the final match, he made it very clear he did not want to get the match to a decider.

 

 

"Even after leading 2-0, we knew that Indonesia have a strong team and it was important to close out and win those crucial points,” said Kidambi.

 

“This might sound a little dramatic. But you know, when I was in Korea for the Korea Masters, and the following week we had selection trials… immediately after those trials, when the team got announced, we created a (Whatsapp) group titled ‘We’ll Bring It Home’, or something like that. This happened a week before the tournament started. So yeah… we always thought we are capable, but we only had to be consistent. Coming here, it was a fantastic team and we had great atmosphere. We were a happy team, and we were really supporting each other and backing each other.

 

“I’m very happy. Every win, every achievement has its own uniqueness. India has never won the Thomas Cup before this. Now to be part of a team that has won the Thomas Cup and to contribute to the team’s win gives me a lot of happiness. Every time you contribute to the team’s win you get a different feeling, especially in a final. I’m happy that throughout this tournament I could win my matches and give those crucial points to the team.”

 

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the Thomas Cup triumph of the Indian badminton team as one of the country's finest sporting wins and invited the shuttlers to his residence on returning from Bangkok.

 

 

The PM never forgets to applaud the achievements of athletes, and on Sunday, he promptly dialled the players to congratulate them on their stupendous success, thanked their parents for helping them develop into world beaters and doing the country proud with their exploits on the global stage.

 

After being out of the form in the knockout stages, Sen delivered when it mattered the most as he gave India a 1-0 lead with a come-from-behind 8-21 21-17 21-16 win over world number five Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, in a superb show of temperament and skill.

 

The country's best doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then showed nerves of steel as it saved four match points in the second game to eventually outwit Mohammad Ahsan and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 18-21 23-21 21-19. In the second singles, Srikanth produced a fine performance to outclass Asian Games gold medallist Jonatan Christie 21-15 23-21 in 48 minutes to seal the contest.