Commonwealth Games 2014: Indian paddlers lose to England in men's team semifinals

Liam Pitchford

Glasgow, July 28 (IANS) India lost 1-3 to England in the 2014 Commonwealth Games men's team table tennis semifinal and will have to be content with playing for the bronze medal against Nigeria.

The country's top singles player Achanta Sharath Kamal was shocked by an energetic Liam Pitchford, who is ranked five places below, in the opening match on Sunday night.

Kamal fought hard, but eventually lost 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 6-11. Paul Drinkhall gave England a 2-0 lead after disposing off Anthony Arputharaj 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 in the second singles.

Anthony then teamed up with Harmeet Desai and gave India hope winning the doubles tie 7-11, 16-14, 11-8, 7-11, 13-11. However, it wasn't meant to be for the Indians as Harmeet lost his singles match to Pitchford 5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10, 15-17.

England will take on Singapore in the summit clash.