Badminton News: Defending champions India live up to their reputation and form as they advance to the semi-finals of the Mixed Team Championship at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Sunday night (31/7 ).

India beat South Africa 3-0 in the one-sided quarter-finals at Birmingham Arena and boosted their chances of retaining the title.

The defending champions topped Group A winning all three of their group matches quite convincingly. After beating Pakistan and Sri Lanka by identical scores 5-0, India saw off Australia 4-1 in their final group game on Saturday.

India also maintained their good momentum in the round of 16. The title favorites beat South Africa 3-0 without losing a single game in the quarter-finals.

Experienced pair B. Sumeeth Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa gave India the perfect start.

Mixed doubles duo Sumeeth/Ashwini beat South Africans Jarred Elliott/Deidre Jordaan 21-9, 21-11 in half an hour.

Lakshya Sen scored an early win in the men’s singles to help India lead 2-0.

World number 10 Lakshya Sen beat Caden Kakora 21-5 and 21-6 in a short time.

World Championships bronze medalist Lakshya taught his South African opponent a lesson or two with a clinical demonstration.

Aakarshi Kashyap had the opportunity to replace Indian badminton star PV Sindhu.

Chhattisgarh youngster Aakarshi vindicated the team management’s decision by winning the women’s singles match to seal a 3-0 win. Aakarshi, 20, beat Johanita Scholtz 21-11, 21-16 to help India reach the semi-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Tags: India, South Africa, Commonwealth Games 2022

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