Hope Thomas Cup triumph does for badminton what 1983 World Cup win did for cricket: Vimal Kumar

Vimal Kumar, the top coach of the Indian males’s badminton staff, on Sunday, May 15, hoped the historic Thomas Cup victory would popularise the nation’s shuttle sport, precisely how the 1983 World Cup win in England did to cricket.

Kidambi Srikanth, Lakshya Sen, and the doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy scripted probably the most unimaginable feats within the nation’s sporting historical past. They defeated 14-time winners Indonesia 3-0 within the summit showdown in Bangkok. Kumar was over the moon after the outstanding efficiency.

“I have no words to describe it, we always had hopes but the way the players played, they just put up a performance out of the blue. It was really fantastic. We had such a poor record against Indonesia and to win 3-0 is incredible,” Kumar was quoted as saying.

THE BIGGEST EVER

“In 1983, when India won the cricket World Cup, the euphoria was something else, but cricket was always a very popular sport and I hope with this performance, now badminton can also become so popular.

“It has all the time been about particular person achievements however this was a staff efficiency and I hope the recognition of the game goes up from right here on,” he added.

Kumar said that the triumph in the Thomas Cup is the biggest in Indian badminton’s history.

“I’ll fee this as the largest ever. Of course, Prakash and Gopi profitable All England, Sindhu profitable, all nice achievements, however as a staff what we have now achieved, we could not ship as a staff (earlier). You name one a badminton nation if you win a staff championship, so I’ll fee it as the most effective.”

India, who has never qualified for the last-four stage since 1979, ended up dominating the formidable Malaysia and Denmark en route to the summit clash in this edition of the championship.

It goes without saying that the stupendous win sparked off wild celebrations in the Indian camp, less than 48 hours after they thumped Denmark.

“I’ve by no means seen them so enthusiastic; it’s an achievement of pure staff spirit which I have not seen prior to now. We all the time had good gamers however the precedence was on particular person gamers and tournaments. We have a balanced staff and it did the trick.

“In each match, what the doubles players have done is amazing. Earlier, we were dependent on singles, but Satwik and Chirag pulled out all the pressure matches, so a lot of credit to Lakhsya, Srikanth and Prannoy, for they delivered when it mattered. I am a fortunate, lucky coach to be here with them,” Kumar mentioned.

“It is the best achievement of Indian badminton, and I feel so proud to be part of this historic team. It is a fantastic bunch of players.”