I mustn’t hand over: HS Prannoy overcomes ache to assist India script historical past in Thomas Cup semi-final

Star Indian shuttler HS Prannoy on Friday recalled how he battled an harm scare throughout the thrilling decider within the Thomas Cup semi-final tie towards Denmark’s higher-ranked Rasmus Gemke on the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

In what has been tough courtroom circumstances in Bangkok the place fairly a number of shuttlers have slipped, HS Prannoy noticed his knee slide and jam into the courtroom throughout the first recreation of the ultimate match of the semi-final tie towards World No. 13 Gemke.

Having had his justifiable share of harm issues through the years, Prannoy showcased loads of grit and dedication as he got here again from behind to beat the Danish shuttler 13-21, 21-9, 21-12 to assist India win the tie 3-2 and attain their first-ever closing within the historical past of Thomas Cup crew match.

Prannoy wanted a medical time-out on the mid-game interval throughout which he was trailing 4-11. With fixed assist from the stands from his teammates, Prannoy rallied on and got here up with a robust effort within the final two video games of the tie as India surprised Denmark.

SHOULD NOT GIVE UP

Prannoy has delivered twice in as many days in deciding matches as India outclassed 5-time champions Malaysia within the quarter-final earlier than exhibiting the door to Denmark 3-2.

“Maybe yeah [that the win was more mental than physical]. Mentally, there were a lot of things going on today. After the slip, it was hurting a lot more than usual, I was not able to lunge properly. I was wondering what to do, I thought I will try to manage somehow.

“In my thoughts, it was at all times that: ‘I mustn’t hand over.’

“Just tried whatever I could, praying that the pain doesn’t aggravate. The pain actually reduced towards the end of the second game and third game I was feeling much better on court,” Prannoy instructed the BWF, as quoted by The Field.

India will tackle 14-time champions and holders Indonesia within the Thomas Cup closing on Sunday and Prannoy has a day’s break to recuperate from the harm scare.

“I’ll know soon what the scene is actually, hope it’s nothing serious,” the World No. 23 added.

India started Friday’s semi-final on a shaky observe as world championships bronze medalist Lakshya Sen misplaced in straight video games to Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen. Quite a bit was anticipated of the younger Indian who had defeated Axelsen earlier this yr on the German Open however the towering Dane made gentle work of Lakshya’s problem to present Denmark 1-0 lead.

SRIKANTH, SATWIK-CHIRAG DELIVER

India fought again and equalled the tie by means of doubles stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, beating the Danish pairing of Kim Astrup and Mathias Christiansen. The Danish pair saved as many as 5 match factors however the younger Indian stars held their nerves to win the primary doubles match of the tie.

India went 2-1 up when Kidambi Srikanth, a former World No. 1, got here up with a gritty present towards World No. 4 Anders Antonsen. Srikanth defeated the previous All England champion 21-18 12-21 21-15 earlier than the 2nd doubles match of the tie which India misplaced in straight video games.

The onus to ship the deciding win fell on HS Prannoy and the hungry and decided Indian shuttler didn’t disappoint.

Chants of ‘HSP (HS Prannoy, HSP’ reverberated on the Impact Arena because the 29-year-old stepped up and delivered one of the memorable victories of his profession.