A FEW years ago, my dad who has since passed away said that India would win the Thomas Cup soon. I laughed hysterically when I heard that.
How on earth would it be possible for a country with only Prakash Padukone (All England Champion 1980) and Pullela Gopichand (All England Champion 2001) as notable former players to beat powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Denmark, Japan and Malaysia in this prestigious team event? Boy, I could never have been so wrong in my entire life! On Sunday, India created history by winning the Thomas Cup for the first time ever, and in their maiden final too. They beat Malaysia (five times champion) in the quarter-final, Denmark (2016 champion) in the semi-final, and made a clean sweep against Indonesia (14 times champion) in the final.