PV Sindhu’s semis berth: Is this what we were waiting for?

If PV Sindhu can do what she did on Tuesday, there is very little doubt that she won't stand on the podium.

pv sindhu, pv sindhu match timing, pv sindhu vs wang yihan, pv sindhu next match, pv sindhu images, pv sindhu rio, pv sindhu twitter, pv sindhu india rio, pv sindhu rio olympics, sports news, sports

PV Sindhu celebrates after beating Wang Yihan of China 22-20, 21-19 in the badminton women’s singles quarter-final. (Source: Reuters)

Wang Yihan’s, facing match point, nets her return. PV Sindhu collapses, in relief, to the ground and up goes a loud cheer in the arena.

It was the moment for billions of fans back home and the handful in Rio. After three fourth-placed finishes, athletes making to the finals and returning empty handed, Sindhu gave the nation hope. Hope of a medal which has eluded the country for 11 days now.

Shooters came close, but left empty handed. The mixed-doubles pairing of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna promised much after beating Andy Murray and his partner Heather Watson, but were left without a medal after they lost to USA in the semi-final and then to Czech Republic in the bronze medal play-off.

Story continues below this ad

The 119-member Indian contingent, has so far left everyone frustrated, and in a dilemma. Should they celebrate the close finishes? Laud Dipa Karmakar’s effort in the gymnastics final? Or criticise the early exits?

Hope is still not lost as wrestlers in the freestyle category are yet to start their campaign. And Kidambi Srikanth and Sindhu have what it takes to open India’s account. Yes, it’s later than what most expected, but medals taste sweet, no matter how late they come. India are staring at their first medal-less return from the Games since 1992, and no one would like that.

WATCH VIDEO

https://dailymotion.com/video/x4p1jga

With only a few Indian athletes left in the competition, and fewer with a realistic chance of a podium finish, time is running out. Sindhu will be up against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in the women’s singles semi-final on Thursday.

Okuhara won the 2016 All England Championships and managed to beat Wang Yihan and Wang Shixian of China in the past – both formidabble opponents. The world junior champion of 2012 stands between Sindhu and the silver medal, but if Sindhu can do what she did on Tuesday, she will be on the podium for sure.