Indian men fought back from 0-2 down to edge out England 3-2 in the dramatic final and retain the Host Association’s Cup. This was the third men’s team title for India, who won the previous two in Kuala Lumpur and Surat in 2004 and 2015 respectively.

Indian men got off to a nightmarish start as top stars Achanta Sarath Kamal and G Sathiyan lost to Thomas Jarvis and Samuel Walker in the first two singles matches of the thrilling final. But Harmeet Desai, celebrating his 26th birthday, not only presented himself a wonderful gift but also brought India from the brink to a face-saving title victory. After Desai beat Devid McBeath in the third match, Sarath Kamal and Sathiyan won respective reverse singles against Walker and Jarvis to help India cap the title triumph.

Meanwhile, Manika Batra withdrew from singles and doubles events at the eleventh hour, forcing the referee re-draw the seeding list this afternoon. Manika informed TTFI and the referee of her pullout this morning, citing her indisposition. She, however, played her part and helped Team India win the women’s crown.

RESULTS (Team):

MEN: Final: India bt England 3-2 (A Sharath Kamal lost to Thomas Jarvis 7-11, 8-11, 4-11; G. Sathiyan lost to Samuel Walker 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 8-11, 8-11; Harmeet Desai bt David McBeath 4-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8; G Sathiyan bt Thomas Jarvis 11-2, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4; Sharath Kamal bt Samuel Walker 15-13, 12-10, 11-6). Semifinals: India bt Singapore 3-0 (A Sharath Kamal bt Pang Yu En Koen 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5; G Sathiyan bt Chew Zheyu Clarence 11-6, 11-8, 13-11; Harmeet Desai bt Beh Kun Ting 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8); England bt Malaysia 3-1 (Samuel Walker bt Wong Qi Shen 11-5, 11-2, 9-11, 11-6; Thomas Jarvis bt Ashraf Muhamad Rizal 12-14, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7; Davis McBeath lost to Leong Chee Feng 11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, Samuel Walker bt Ashraf Muhamad Rizal 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-2).
Positions: 3 and 4: Singapore bt Malaysia 3-0; 5 and 6: Nigeria bt Wales 3-0; 7 and 8: Australia bt Sri Lanka 3-0; 9: Cyprus; 10: South Africa; 11: Bangladesh; 12: Scotland.

WOMEN: Final: India bt England 3-0 (Archana Girish Kamath bt Ho Tin-Tin 8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9; Manika Batra bt Denise Payet 11-6, 11-4, 11-3; Madhurika Patkar bt Emily Bolton 11-9, 11-7, 11-6). Semifinals: India bt Singapore 3-0 (Manika Batra bt Wong Xin Ru 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 13-11; Archana Kamath bt Goi Rui Xuan 7-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-5; Madhurika Patkar bt Lim Eunice oe 11-6, 11-7, 11-7); England bt Nigeria 3-0 (Ho Tin-Tin bt Cecilia Akpan 11-9, 11-3, 11-4; Denise Payet bt Offiong Edem 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6; Emily Bolton bt Ajoke Ojomu 7-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-5, 11-9).
Positions: 3 and 4: Singapore bt Nigeria 3-0; 5 and 6: Malaysia bt Australia 3-0; 7 and 8: Wales bt Sri Lanka 3-0; 9: Cyprus; 10: Scotland; 11: Bangladesh; 12: South Africa.
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TOP: Indian paddlers and coaches with their team gold medals in Cuttack on July 19, 2019.
RIGHGT: India hero Harmeet Desai in action at JN Indoor Stadium in Cuttack on July 19, 2019.