Hangzhou Asian Games badminton | India signs off with first-ever silver medal

India went down fighting 2-3 to badminton powerhouse China in the men's team championships at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Prannoy's absence hurt India, but Sen, Satwik/Chirag put India 2-0 ahead. Despite a gutsy show, India finished second best, winning their first-ever silver medal. India now has 11 badminton medals in the Asian Games.

Injured HS Prannoy’s absence hurt India as they went down fighting 2-3 against badminton powerhouse China to sign off with their first-ever silver medal in the men's team championships at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on October 1.

After world No. 7 Prannoy was ruled out due to a back injury, Lakshya Sen produced a gutsy show in the first singles and doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then bossed over their opponents to put India 2-0 ahead.

So, it was once again left to Srikanth to carry the team on his shoulders.

The former world No. 1, who had produced a gritty show against South Korea in the semifinals, couldn't go the distance this time despite a healthy lead and multiple game points as China fought back to make it 1-2.

The defending champions then won the remaining two matches to maintain their hegemony in the Asian Games.

With Prannoy missing the summit clash due to a back injury, Sen was handed the responsibility of leading the Indian charge.

Sen recovered from a mid-game slump to erase a five-point deficit in the decider and put India ahead with a 22-20 14-21 21-18 win over world No. 6 Shi Yuqi in an 83-minute opening slugfest.