Manika Batra in action during final vs Singapore in CWG 2018
Indian paddlers on Sunday thrashed four-time gold medallists Singapore 3-1 in the finals to win the gold medal in women's team table tennis at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. This is India's first ever gold medal in table tennis at the Commonwealth Games.
It was mother of all upsets as prior to this final, the Singapore women's team had never lost in the Commonwealth Games since the sport was inducted in the program way back in 2002.
The victory tasted even sweeter as the women had returned empty handed from the Glasgow edition four years ago. It was only the second table tennis team gold for India at the Games with the men achieving the feat in the 2006 Melbourne edition.
Earlier today, India had blanked England 3-0 to reach the women's team final for the second time.
Manika Batra was the star performer in India's victory as she won both her singles matches while Mouma Das and Madhurika Patkar combined to win their doubles match.
Congratulations to the Golden Girls - Manika Batra, Madhurika Patkar & Mouma Das - for bagging India's first ever Women's Table Team GOLD at Commonwealth Games..stupendous achievement #GC2018 #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 8, 2018
Manika Batra was the star performer in India's victory as she won both her singles matches while Mouma Das and Madhurika Patkar combined to win their doubles match.
It was Batra who started India's campaign on a winning note by defeating Tianwei Feng 48-46 in the opening singles match.
In the second match, Singapore made a comeback and levelled the match as Mengyu Yu outclassed Patkar 35-19.
However, Das and Patkar combined well in the doubles match to claim the lead back.
In the fourth match, Batra didn't gave her opponent any chance and defeated Yihan Zhou 33-18 comfortably to seal the gold for India.
This is India's 12th medal at the 21st Commonwealth Games. The Indian athletes have won 7 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.
