Malaysia defeated India 3-1 to win the badminton mixed team crown at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, four years after losing to the same opponents in Gold Coast.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik put Malaysia ahead with a priceless first point against Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty after an exquisite performance for a 21-18, 21-15 victory.
The Olympic bronze medalists needed a big match to stamp their authority after recent poor performances, and it came none better than Rankireddy-Shetty who can punish anyone on their day.
The match was an explosive one, especially in the first game with both sides engaging in rapid fire exchanges.
The Indians looked to have the advantage at 18-15, but the Malaysians gallantly fought back to secure the next six points for the win.
Soh marshalling the front court was a genius move, with the lanky shuttler killing off several rallies to confirm the straight-game win.
Goh Jin Wei was up next against the in-form P. V. Sindhu as she put up a strong fight despite losing 20-22, 17-21.
India were expected to take the lead through S. Kidambi in the following men's singles match, but Ng Tze Yong pulled off one of his greatest wins as he clinched a 21-19, 6-21, 21-16 victory.
Needing just one more point to close out the final, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah clinched a hard-fought 21-18, 21-17 victory over Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand Pullela.
The success in Birmingham was Malaysia's fourth gold medal in the Commonwealth Games mixed team event after winning it from 2006 to 2014.
