Thu, Oct 07 10 11:08 PM
Amit Kumar Das New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) P Kashyap pulled off an incredible win over higher-ranked Rajiv Ouseph as India avenged a four-year-old semifinal loss to England, thrashing the visitors 3-0 to assure themselves of a silver in the team badminton event of the Commonwealth Games here today. World number 32 Kashyap, who was chosen to play the men''s singles over 17th ranked Chetan at the eleventh hour, rose to the occasion and notched up a thrilling straight-game win over 16th ranked Ouseph to help India set up a summit clash with Malaysia here tomorrow. The mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju gave India a 1-0 lead with a brilliant 21-17 21-17 win over Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork in the first tie to set the ball rolling before Kashyap thrashed Ouseph 21-13 21-17 to extend India''s lead. A fit Kashyap played a strategic game against Ouseph as he engaged in long rallies to tire out his opponent before going for the kill and ensure India a place in the final for only the second time in the Games'' history since the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games. World No. 3 Saina Nehwal then sent Liz Cann packing 21-18 21-11 as India completed a 3-0 spanking of the English team, who had beaten the hosts 3-2 in the last edition at Melbourne in 2006. "It was a huge responsibility for me to be choosen ahead of Chetan because I felt he was better because he beat him twice before and he is after all the Melbourne bronze medallist. But my team-mates thought I should play. Chetan was also ok with it and I am happy I won the match," Kashyap said. "I played slow rallies initially before going for attacking shots in the second game. The strategy worked as he got tired and started making mistakes. He has a very good defense and net play. His half smashes are also sharp but I was confident of my fitness," he added. Saina said she was ecstatic about India reaching the finals. "We had won a bronze last time but lost to England so we were a little nervous in the beginning. But it was a good team effort and I am very happy. Jwala-Diju started it well and Kashyap was brilliant. I was also confident of winning my match," Saina said. .
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