On a day when the seniors faltered, youngsters powered India into their first final of the Badminton Asian Team Championships (BATC) in Shah Alam, Malaysia on Saturday.
Sensational performances by Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand, Ashmita Chaliha and teen national champion Anmol Kharb helped India upset defending champions Japan 3-2 in the semifinals. They will face Thailand for the title on Sunday. Tanisha Crasto was ruled out with an ankle injury, forcing India to pair Ashwini Ponnappa with PV Sindhu.
India started on a poor note as a rusty Sindhu suffered a 13-21, 20-22 loss to Aya Ohori, against whom the Indian enjoyed a 13-0 record. Treesa-Gayatri stood the test against world No. 6 Na mi Matsuyama and Chiharu. The world No.23 Indians, who missed much of last season due to injuries, had lost twice to the Japanese in the past. But on Saturday, the Indian duo overcame their rivals, who had won three major titles last year. With Treesa securing smash winners and Gayatri working well near the net, the Indians won 21-17, 16-21, 22-20.
Ashmita Chaliha put in an inspired performance to humble former world champion Nozomi Okuhara 21-17, 21-14 . The Ashwini-Sindhu combination proved no match for Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto, losing 14-21, 11-21. With the scores locked at 2-2, India looked to Anmol Kharb. Despite some tense moments at the end of the second game, Anmol trounced Nidaira 21-14, 21-18.
