04 October,2023 05:18 PM IST | Hangzhou | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
Indian men's team outwitted China 2-1 to reach the summit clash of the bridge competition, assuring the country of at least a silver medal at the ongoing Asian Games 2023 on Wednesday.
Indian men, who had clinched a bronze medal in Jakarta Games 2018, will face Hong Kong in the gold medal match on Friday.
In the semifinal at Hangzhou, India garnered 155.60 points in total from a total of 80 boards, while the host nation settled for 135 points.
In the other semifinals, Hong Kong, 153 points, defeated Japan, 118 points.
ALSO READ
Divanshi secures 2nd gold at Jr World Cup
Juliette posts imperious win in feature event
'Felt as if I had lost someone very close after finishing 4th in Paris': Babuta
Maharashtra's Vaishnavi Pawar leads India to silver in Archery Championship
'Sweet memories’ of Paris bronze nudged Sreejesh to accept mentorship in HIL
However, India began the day with a below par effort, conceding the first session to China 16-36.
But the Indian players staged a fine comeback in the second session at noon defeating China 37-24.
Also Read: India on the ascendancy in semis
In the decisive third and final session in the evening, Indian team upped its game to go past China 35-25 to earn their spot in the summit clash.
Indian women's and mixed teams earlier could not reach the semifinals.
India had qualified for the semi-finals after securing second place with a score of 288.6 VPs on Monday.
The top four teams were Hong Kong China (308.31 VPs), India, China (287.91 VPs) and Japan (237.96 VPs), respectively. The other semi-final is scheduled to be contested between Hong Kong China and Japan.
Also Read: Asian Games 2023: 'Have lost my bronze to a transgender woman,' alleges Swapna Barman
While the Indian mixed team finished in fifth position with a score of 233.28 VPs, the women's team finished in seventh position with a score of 125.48 VPs.
With 48 boards still to be played, the semi-final was a close affair. India was represented by Jaggy Shivdasani, Sandeep Thakral, Rajeshwar Tewari, Sumit Mukherjee, Ajay Khare and Raju Tolani.
(With agency inputs)