Asian Games badminton final India vs China Highlights: India win silver after 2-3 loss in final

Wen Hong Yan completely outplay Mithun Manjunath in the second game and closes it 21-4. He wins the match 21-12, 21-4

With that outcome China also secure the gold medal beating India 3-2 in the men’s team final.

Meanwhile, the Indian contingent will have to be content with silver, which is their first in the Asian Games.

Authoritative performance by Wen Hong Yan as India’s struggle grows as the Chinese gives no chance to Mithun to make a comeback. IND 2-15 CHN

Wen Hong Yan gets China close to gold medal as he marches to 11 points, while Mithun has managed just one in the second game. IND 1-11 CHN

Wen Hong Yan continues his dominant show in the second game, taking an early 5-0 lead.

Mithun finally opens his account as he hits a cross court smashes, good height but wide of Wen, who tries to return but only manages to hit the shuttle at the net. IND 1-5 CHN

Wen Hong Yan closes the opening game 21-12 as China need to win one more game to secure the gold medal.

Wen Hong Yan has a five-point lead in the opening game of match five as Mithun tries to drop it close to the net, but fails to clear the court in the process.

The next point by Wen is a strong cross-court smash, which forces Mithun to attempt a dive. He makes a connection in the process but the shuttle falls wide.

Wen takes another point almost in similar fashion.

IND 11-18 CHN

The dominance by Wen Hong Yan continues as the Chinese take two points with two smashes. One was a little wide of Mithun, who tried to return with a stylish backhand. Gets the connection but the shuttle hits the net.

Wen then pounces close to the net and hits the second smash at Mithun’s body. IND 9-13 CHN

Wen Hong Yan is slowly taking control in the opening game as he extends his lead by five points.

While the two has engaged in some long rallies, the Chinese has spotted openings and executed things perfectly. IND 5-10 CHN

Mithun Manjunath takes on Wen Hong Yan in the decider and so far the Indian has maintained his composure. He gets the first point after correctly judging the shuttle was going out and then takes the second point after sending a powerful smash.

The score is squared at 4-each at the moment but Manjunath has remained calm, which is good sign for India.

Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi beat Sai Pratheek and Dhruv Kapila 21-6, 21-15 in the second match doubles of the men’s team badminton final.

With this China have rallied from behind to settle the score at 2-2.

Now we’ll have the decider between Mithun Manjunath and Wen Hong Yan.

China extend their lead as Dhruv Kapila and his partner Sai Pratheek find it difficult to deal with the smashes and brilliant placement by the Chinese pair. IND 13-19 CHN

China have restored the lead but Sai Pratheek and Dhruv Kapila keep the opponent on their toes. China go into the mid-game interval leading 11-9.

The second game is underway and the Indian pair has surprisingly produced a strong show and are leading at the moment.

However, China, who are appear much stronger, reduce the deficit with two smashes. The first one lands on the court, while the send one goes wide after taking a deflection from an Indian player’s racquet. IND 5-5 CHN

Unbelievable stuff by the world no. 8 pair of Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi as they completely demolish the Indian pair in the opening game and close it at 21-6.

As expected the pair of Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi completely dictate the show as they lead 13-4 in the contest.

The young pair of Sai Pratheek and Dhruv Kapila are trying their best but things remain in China’s favour at the moment.

China keep things under control as they take quick four points with a combination of good smashes. India manage to break the serve after that but the Chinese once again take control. IND 1-6 CHN

The pair of Sai Pratheek/Dhruv Kapila take on Liu Yuchen/Ou Xuanyi in the second men’s doubles of the event.

It is the Chinese pair who take the first point.

Li Shi Feng completely dominates the second game and closes it 21-9. The Chinese had won the opening game 24-22.

With this outcome, China open their account in the men’s team badminton finals.

It has been one way traffic ever since the midway interval in the second game. Li Shi Feng has since grabbed six points on the trot, before it is finally broken after as Feng hits the shuttle long, outside the court. IND 8-18 CHN

Kidambi Srikanth is made to work very hard in the second game as the Indian trails by four points. IND 7-11 CHN

Li Shi Feng keeps China in hunt as he keeps a three-point lead over Srikanth in the second game.

IND 6-9 CHN

The show continues as both men find themselves on level terms with 22 points a piece.

But it is Li Shi Feng, who takes the opening game. Saves two game points and closes it 24-22

Another long rally as Srikanth takes the point with a smash, slightly wide of Shi Feng. With that India reach game point but Feng ensures it’s not done as he picks the next point by playing the shuttle across the court, which had plenty of space. IND 20-20 CHN

Srikanth concedes two points on the trot, the first being a smash and the Indian made an error in the second.

Li Shi Feng then takes thing on level terms as Srikanth makes another error. IND 18-18 CHN

Srikanth is controlling the show in the opening game. Some late shots from both ends, which allows Srikanth to go for a smash and he does exactly the same, leaving his opponent with no response.

Srikanth leads 18-15

A good rally between Srikanth and Shi Feng as both respond to each other smashes. However, Srikanth concedes the point while trying to drop the shuttle close to the net but the shuttle hits it instead.

However, Srikanth is still in the lead over his opponent. IND 15-13 CHN

After engaging in a neck-and-neck contest, Srikanth sends a smash on Feng’s body, which hits him on his jersey and drops on the court.

At the midway stage of the opening game, Srikanth leads 11-10.

Srikanth is putting up a fine show as he leads 7-6. Following which Srikanth goes for a smash, which falls just inside but Li Shi Feng takes a review, which is an unsuccessful one.

Feng, however, makes a strong comeback and takes three points on the trot before Feng makes an unforced error. IND 9-9 CHN

We have Match 3 underway as Kidambi Srikanth faces Li Shi Feng in singles match. A win for Srikanth here will ensure India a gold at the team’s event.

For now the scores are squared at 4-all.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty close the second game 21-18 to beat the Chinese pair of Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang in straight games.

They had won the opening game 21-15.

With this outcome India have taken a 2-0 lead in the men’s team badminton final.

China try to close in on India’s lead and reduce the deficit to two points.

Satwik goes front court to receive Liang’s serve and returns the shuttle straight towards Wang, who fails to control it and hits it wide of the court.

China take the next point. IND 18-17 CHN

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty are once again picking momentum, capitalising on every possible mistake by the Chinese pair.

India have extended their lead to five points. IND 15-10 CHN

Great camaraderie between Satwik and Chirag as we could hear Chirag saying “maar” (hit), following which Satwik sends a powerful smash. At the midway stage of the second game India lead 11-8 against China

Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang show some fight in the second game but India are still in the lead, which has been reduced to just one.

Satwik then gets a point by smashing the shuttle at Wang’s body.

However, Wang responds back with an equally powerful smash. IND 9-8 CHN

The second game is underway and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty start from where they left. They take an early 6-2 lead over the Chinese pair.

Easy work for Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty as they demolish China’s Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang.

India reach the game point with scores reading 20-11, following which China take four points on the trot.

India closes the game 21-15.

After the midway mark it is Satwik, who is at the front court. The points keep coming as India have a six-point lead at the moment. IND 13-7 CHN

This is some flawless badminton by the Indian pair as Chirag Shetty smoothly moves across the court and returns the shuttle no difficulties.

Meanwhile, Satwik complements his partner very nicely. IND 11-5 CHN

The doubles action between Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty and the Chinese pair Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang is underway. It is the Indian pair, who build an early lead. IND 5-3 CHN

Lakshya Sen vs Shi Yuqi: 22-20, 14-21, 21-18

Next we have the pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lock horns with Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang

Lakshya is on match point while Shi Yuqi is at 16. The Chinese saves two match points but fails to return a body smash by Lakshya from near the net. He wins the third game 21-18 and hand India a 1-0 advantage in the gold medal match.

Shi Yuqi takes Lakshya by surprise as the shuttle appeared to be going wide but the Chinese still returns it close to the net. Lakshya returns the shuttle and grabs the point with a back flip on the space available towards the other side of the court.

Lakshya is the one leading at the moment. IND 19-16 CHN

Shi Yuqi makes a service error, very rare and he too is disappointed with himself. He however, grabs the next point with a cross-court smash. Lakshya puts in the dive but it won’t matter. IND 15-16 CHN

Lakshya Sen shows promising signs as he picks four points on the trot to reduce the deficit to one point.

Lakshya then grabs another point as the scores are tied at 14-all.

Things are getting out of hands for Lakshya, as Shi continues to impress. He extends the lead to five, before sending a smash, which falls wide of the court.

The two engage in a beautiful rally before Shi takes Lakshya by surprise by a slightly slow paced smash.

IND 10-14

Beautiful touch by Lakshya near the nets as he picks a couple of points, sending reassurance in the Indian dugout.

However, it is Shi who leads at the midway stage. IND 7-11 CHN

Shi Yuqi is proving too good for Lakshya in the deciding game. He extends his lead to 10-5.

Lakshya needs to get things back together before it gets too late.

Shi Yuqi once again extends the lead, this time by three points as the scoreline reads IND 4-7 CHN.

Some instructions come from the coach, seated beside but no avail as Shi grabs another point.

Shi Yuqi starts the deciding game on a positive note, grabs the first two points, before Lakshya gets back into the groove.

Shi is still leading by an point as Lakshya forces an unforced error by the Chinese. The scores read 4-all.

Lakshya then sends the shuttle wide of the court as Shi wins the second game 21-14.

Lakshya had won the opening game 22-20.

We’ll now have a decider.

As Shi Yuqi marches towards the game point, Lakshya Sen produces a late fight. Grabs three points on the trot before Shi breaks Lakshya’s serves with a smash, slightly wide from the Indian. IND 14-20 CHN

Lakshya Sen gets three points on the trot and makes it 11-13. However, after that he hits the nets twice trying to drop the shuttle close to the net.

China, on the other hand, have extended their lead to five points. IND 11-16 CHN

Shi Yuqi picks some momentum as he grabs the next three points, and has taken a one point lead. Following which Lakshya sends the shuttle wide of the court.

Shi then grabs another point after a shot from him hits the net and drops in Lakshya’s half. IND 8-11 CHN

Lakshya Sen and Shi Yuqi are keeping the fight on as both find themselves with six points each.

Laksya then grabs the next point, following which builds a rally and secures another point with a smash. IND 8-6 CHN

The second game is underway and it is Shi, who wins the first point. But Lakshya keeps the charge and find himself on level terms with his opponent. IND 3-3 CHN

It is Lakshya who grabs the opening game. He was under some sort of pressure towards the end as Shi was the one to reach game point first, while Lakshya had 19.

Lakshya first equalised things and then went to add two more points to close the opening game 22-20.

Both Lakshya and Shi engage in neck-and-neck battle as the Indian grabs a point with a powerful cross-court smash.

Following which the Chinese takes one point after sending in a powerful smash coming straight in Lakshya Sen’s body.

Both have 19 points each at the moment.

Lakshya breaks Shi Yuqi’s serve. Uses the court to his advantage as there is a good mixture of both drop shots and smashes.

However, Shi is producing a sensational comeback as he has brought the match back into level terms. IND 16-16 CHN

An unforced error by Lakshya as he gets Shi Yuqi on the ground with a smash, which the Chinese manages to return after extending his body. Lakshya then goes for the finish but his back flip sends the shuttle crashing on the nets.

It was not needed as the Chinese was already on the ground.

Shi Yuqi has since grabbed four points on the trot. IND 15-14 CHN

Superb show by Lakshya as he build pressure on Shi by sending some powerful smashes and then takes him by surprise by dropping the shuttle near the nets.

Shi responds back equally well and grabs the next point, sending a smash across the line, which Lakshya manages to return. However, that allows Shi to drop the shuttle in the space available on the other side of the court.

IND lead 14-9 at the moment.

Lakshya Sen has made his intentions clear as he leads 11-6 at the midway stage of the opening game.

A brilliant rally between the two and it is Lakshya, who concedes. But nevertheless he returned powerful smashes by Shi Yuqi with some stylish backhands.

India are still in the lead. IND 9-5 CHN

A powerful cross-court smash by Lakshya, something that Shi Yuqi has no response to. Gets his racquet and tries to send back the shuttle with a backhand but it falls on his half of the court.

India have an early three-point lead. IND 6-3 CHN

China will serve first and it is Lakshya, who takes the first point. The two exchange a few shots, before Lakshya angles it and drops the shuttle near the net.

India are 2-0 up at the moment.

Welcome to the men’s team badminton final as Lakshya Sen kicks-off the contest against Shi Yuqi.

The players have arrived in the court, following which they greet each other.

If China appears strong, India too cannot be counted out, especially after their triumph in Thomas Cup last year.

The action gets underway shortly.

China are the defending champions.

Shi Yuqi is world no. 6

Li Shi Feng is world no. 8

Weng Hong Yang is world no. 20

Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang are the world no. 2 pair

Liu Yu Chen and Ou Xuan Yi are world no. 8 pair

The last time the Indian men won a badminton medal in team championships was at the 1986 edition at Seoul. Then Lakshya Sen’s mentors Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar played a crucial role.

Today the onus will be on Lakshya, who will kick-off the action against Shi Yu Qi.

China’s men’s team defeated Japan 3-1 in the semis.

Shi Yuqi, China’s No. 1 men’s singles player at two consecutive Asiads, endured 10-21, 21-16, 21-14 loss against Kenta Nishimoto.

The Chinese pair of Young duo Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang then secured straight games (23-21, 25-23) win against Yugo Kobayashi and Takuro Hoki.

Li Shifeng then defeated Kanta Tsuneyama

Liu Yuchen and Ou Xuanyi then wrapped the show by beating Akira Koga and Taichi Saito.

India secured a 3-2 win against South Korea in the semifinals.

The contest started with HS Prannoy beating Hyeokjin Jeon (18-21, 21-16, 21-19) in the first match.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, however, failed to add to India’s lead in the second match. The world no. 2 men’s doubles pair lost 21-13, 26-24 to Seungjae Seo and Minhyuk Kang, ranked fourth in the world.

Lakshya Sen then helped India restore the lead as he beat Yungyu Lee (21-7, 21-9) in the fourth match.

Korea once again got back to level terms after Arjun Madathil Ramachandran and Dhruv Kapila endured a 16-21, 11-21 defeat against Wonho Kim and Sungseunhg Na.

Kidambi Srikanth then held on to his nerves and helped India progress to the finals for the first time. He lost the opening game but produced a gritty show to topple Geonyeop Cho 12-21, 21-16, 21-14.

India will be without the service of HS Prannoy, who has been enjoying a supreme run in the recent tournaments. Reports suggest that Prannoy misses the important tie due to injury.

He had put India ahead in the semifinal tie against Korea as he beat Hyeokjin Jeon 18-21, 21-16, 21-19.

A look at the fixtures of badminton men’s team final:

Lakshya Sen vs Shi Yu Qi

Satwiksairaj/Chirag vs Liang/Wang

Kidambi Srikanth vs Li She Feng

Dhruv/Pratheek vs Liu/Ou

Mithun Manjunath vs Weng Hong Yang

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India vs China men’s badminton final action, where Team India fights for a historic gold. The action gets underway at 2:30 pm. Stay tuned for all the updates on the match!