Kerala upset Andhra, take Badminton Gold

Guwahati, Feb 16 (UNI) Kerala shocked favourites Andhra Pradesh to take the men's team Gold of the Badminton event at the 33rd national games here today.

However, teen sensation Saina Nehwal led the charge in the women's competition as Andhra drubbed Maharashtra 2-0 to finish first on the podium.

The men's final had a nail-biting finish with the last rubber deciding the results. Kerala triumphed 3-2 winning the crucial second doubles match.

Chetan Anand gave Andhra a perfect start when he downed Rupesh Kumar 21-10,21-20.

In the reverse singles, Thomas Kurien got the better of Vidyadhar Raghav 21-16, 21-19 to bring parity. In the doubles, the Kerala pair of J Parveez and Diju shocked J James and Dinesh 21-15, 21-16 to make the rubber 2-1.

The things went too far for Andhra Pradesh when Sanave defeated P Kashyap comprehensively 21-4, 21-9. Andhra did field Chetan Anand in the final doubles, but they were no match to the pairs of Sanave and Rupesh.

Meanwhile in the women's section, Saina was just unstoppable and thrashed Aditi Muktakar 21-10, 21-9 to win the first rubber. In the doubles, Jwala Guttia and S Kurian completed the formality defeating Saughali Gokhale and Aditi Materkar 21-12, 21-12 to take the Gold.

UNI