KUALA LUMPUR: India are the new Thomas Cup champions.
On Sunday, the Indian national team scripted history when they upset 2020 champions Indonesia 3-0 to lift the prestigious world men's team title for the first time at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.
World No 9 men's singles Lakshya Sen gave the Indians a superb start when he came back from a game down to see off world No 5 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 8-21, 21-17, 21-18.
India, whose previous best was reaching the semi-finals of the 1979 edition in Jakarta, doubled their lead when Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty clawed back from a game down to defeat the scratch combination of Mohammad Ahsan-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 18-21, 23-21, 21-19.
Former world No 1 K.Srikanth, riding high on confidence and momentum, made sure the title was theirs when he wrapped up the tie with a 21-15, 23-21 win over Jonatan Christie.
"The Indian badminton team has scripted history!
"The entire nation is elated by India winning the Thomas Cup! Congratulations to our accomplished team and best wishes to them for their future endeavours. This win will motivate so many upcoming sportspersons," tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
For the record, India are only the sixth country to win the prestigious crown after Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan and Denmark.