TN boys settle for bronze in Schools TT

It beat hosts and fourth seeded Gujarat in a gripping clash that went all the way to the fifth rubber, with Malesh Kumar prevailing against Karanpalsingh Jadeja 3-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8) to clinch the medal. Piyush Sagar too had beaten Karanpalsingh in the opening match, rather easily at 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-5) to put Tamil Nadu on the way. Gujarat’s Kaushal Bhatt, however, proved to be a tough opponent for TN as Malesh Kumar and Piyush Sagar, both, lost to him. Malesh capitulated 1-3 (10-12, 8-11, 15-13, 10-12) while Piyush Sagar also went down 1-3 (6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11) to give them a few jitters. 

Abhinash Prasannaji proved to be saver as he overcame Riyan Dutta 3-1 (11-4, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4) to ensure that Tamil Nadu could attack Gujarat’s weak link. Tamil Nadu’s Under-19 Girls too had a chance to pick up a bronze but it went down fighting 2-3 to Telangana. 

Under-19 Boys (third place): Tamil Nadu bt Gujarat 3-2: Piyush Sagar bt Karanpalsingh Jadeja 3-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-5), Malesh Kumar lost Kaushal Bhatt 1-3 (10-12, 8-11, 15-13, 10-12); Abhinash Prasannaji S bt Riyan Dutta 3-1 (11-4, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4); Piyush Sagar lost KAushal Bhatt 1-3 (6-11, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11); Malesh Kumar bt Karanpalsingh Jadeja 3-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-8) 

Under-19 Girls (third place): Telangana bt Tamil Nadu 3-2: V. Sasya Subramanyam lost Kowshika 1-3 (4-11, 9-11, 11-5, 5-11); V. Laasya Subramanyam bt Swetha 3-2 (11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-5); Hanifa Khatoon bt Reeha Jael 3-2 (7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8); V. Laasya Subramanyam lost Kowshika 2-3 (10-12, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11); V. Sasya Subramanyam bt Swetha 3-1 (11-4, 11-9, 10-12, 12-7)