NEW DELHL, India, Reuter: India qualified for the Thomas Cup Men’s Badminton finals for the first time in nine years on Saturday when they defeated Thailand 32 in a thrilling qualifying competition.
But the Indian men had to fight until the last point of the rubber before their doubles pair of Prakash Padukone and Uday Pawar overcame Thailand’s Komchan Promsarin and Sinipong Siricul 10-15, 15-12, 17-15, in an 80minute match.
In the third game of the match, Promsarin and Sirpul led 6-3 before the Indians rallied to the level scores 8-8 and pulled ahead to within one point of entry into the final round.
But the Thais fought back to save four match points and force a deuce, when Padukone at last showed the form which won an all England title to end the match. ‘
Thailand had taken the lead in the tie when Sompol Kukasemkij upset former Commons wealth Games gold medalist Syed Modi 154, 158. But Vimal Kumar leveled the score for India by beating Pramote Thirawiwat 15-2, 18-17.
Padukone put India ahead with a straight games win over Surachai MakKasasithorn, conceding only six points, Thailand’s Sawai Chanseorasmee and Sakrapee Thongsari then beat Partho Ganguli and Vikram Singh 15-8, 15-12.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 4, 1988
