The 21-year-old Sindhu joined shooters Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar and wrestler Sushil Kumar to win the Olympic silver for India. Even though she tried hard and was intense throughout, Sindhu was unable to beat the world’s no 1, Carolina who played a solid game and was quite fluent with her strokes, especially at the net on Friday.

In fact, it was a fortunate chance that saw Sindhu, trailing 16-19, jumping into the lead to clinch the first game and the initiative. Carolina was unsure and fumbled with her shots at that stage, leading to a string of mistakes.

Sindhu clinched the game on the first set point. It was like a dream to win five points on the trot, from such a position, against the world champion.

True to her nature, Marin, who played well throughout the match, and reacted to the shuttle pretty sharp most of the time, composed herself quickly and attacked with renewed vigour to take a 11-2 lead in the seocnd game.

Sindhu struggled with her judgment and strokes. Coach Gopi Chand kept guiding and encouraging Sindhu to play her game, but the execution did not match the knowledge, for the lack of experience on the big stage for the young girl.

Yet, Sindhu had done well to go one step forward, after former World No.1 Saina Nehwal had won the bronze medal in the last Olympics in London in 2012. Carolina was a class act as she won the second game. The stylish left-hander came up with two gems, two cross court drops from the two corners of the court, one after the other, that saw Sindhu rooted to the ground.

In the third game also, Carolina jumped up to a 6-1 lead, and Sindhu started opening up and playing close to her, attacking best to bridge the gap, at 10-10. Carolina was cool and shot ahead of the next nine points.

It was time to celebrate for Carolina and she was crying in joy on the court, thanking her stars, for many seconds before Sindhu walked around to congratulate her, heartily, like a true sport.

After Rajyavardhan Rathore and Vijay Kumar, the shooters, Sindhu won the Olympic silver medal on maiden appearance.

When all the attention was on Saina Nehwal in Indian badminton, Sindhu stayed in the shadow before serving the bolt from the blue. She played fantastic, much above her stature as a top-10 player for the precious Olympic medal, beating some of the best along the way.

The Badminton Association of India announced Rs.50 lakh for Sindhu and Rs. 10 lakh for her coach Gopi Chand.

Also Read: PV Sindhu ups India's Olympic ante with women power

By Prakriti Neogi