Gold Coast, Australia, Apr 5 (UNI) India thrashed Sri Lanka in mixed-team badminton by 5-0 in the Commonwealth Games here on Thursday.
The strong Indian contingent, that was without the Rio Olympics silver medal-winning shuttler PV Sindhu, who picked up an ankle sprain a week before the Games, went on to establish absolute dominance as they won in all the five competitions. It was the 2012 London Olympics Bronze medal winning star Saina Nehwal, though, who emerged as the show stealer.
The 28-year old went on to defeat Sri Lanka’s Madhushika Dilrukshi by 21-8, 21-4 to win the women’s singles competition for India. The shuttler looked in absolute control as she delivered stunning smashes and drop shots on her way to the win.
World No. 2 Kidambi Srikanth too had an easy task of getting past Niluka Karunaratne, as he picked up 21-16, 21-10 victory against the Sri Lankan.
India had an early scare at the start with Sachin Dias and Thilini Pramodika Henahewa taking the mixed doubles match against Pranaav Chopra and Ruthvika Gadde down to the very last minute.
The Indian duo dropped the second game and continued to drop points in the final game before they picked up win for India.
UNI XC SDR 1350