PV Sindhu makes happy return as India upsets China in Badminton Asia Team Championships

Olympic ace PV Sindhu made a happy return from a significant injury layoff as India beat China by 3-2 in the women's event of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on Wednesday. India was guaranteed of a place in the knockouts due to the presence of only two sides in Group W. However, their victory against the power-packed and title favourites Chinese side is sure to make heads turn, with Sindhu ousting Han Yue in straight sets by 21-17 21-15 under 40 minutes to help India get a foot ahead in the contest.

With just two teams in Group W, India were assured of a knock-out round berth even before their opening match but the team made its mark in style with the shock win over the top-seeded Chinese team. Sindhu, who was missing in action since October last year due to a knee injury at the French Open, led the way as she beat higher-ranked Han Yue 21-17 21-15 in 40 minutes to give India 1-0 lead in the tie.

The 28-year-old, who won a silver in the 2016 Olympics followed by a bronze in the Tokyo Games, is currently ranked 11th while Yue is world number eight. The pair of Tanisha Castro and Ashwini Ponappa then lost to Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning 19-21 16-21, followed by Ashmita Chaliha's 13-21 15-21 loss to world number nine Wang Zhi Yi as India trailed 1-2 after three matches.