Day-5 A mixed bag

If the medal prospects are to be considered then day-5 was actually more of a dissappointment than a mixed bag. But in spite of the average results, doubtably yesterday was the most "eventfull" day for india of all games. Eventfull because not sure I had ever witnessed so many games involving india in a single day. To make it perfect there were controversies involved too.
Day before yesterday I had written about the heartbreaking story of Jwala-Ashwini. Yesterday the first news which came out on a online news portal is that 8 women doubles quarter finalists are disqualified on charges of match fixing and India to appeal for Jwala-ashwini's Inclusion in quater finals. In parallel another story floating that india has lodged a protest with IOC claiming that the match involving chainease taipe and japan wasnt played in the best of playing spirit. After some time the news on a online news portal was "Jwala and Ashwini are back in the quarter finals. In parallel one report said indias plea is rejected. This is a very clever way to keep the news floating and keep the interest going. Whereas the reality was the following. Jwala and Ashwini were in group B. 8 players were indeed suspended and were out of womens doubles and yes they were the quarter finalists. These players conspire and as already had qualified for quarter finals allegedly threw away their matches as one does while playing with their children. The serves were hitting the nets the shots were intentionally hit wide and long. The crowd jeered them when the game was over. But these players were in group A and C and not in B. Based on this Jwala and Ashwini could have been included only if IOC decided to include next 4 teams in the quarters since existing 4 are disqualified, which is very unlikely. India appeal was rejected as unlike the other games the japan-chinease taipe game didnt obviously reveal any underperformance and thus it was end of road for Jwala and Ashwini.
On the actaul sports, it started with another brilliant endevour by Kashyap. This time he was up against a shri lankan, a very attacking playing much like kashyap himself. Kashyap didnt offer him much chance in first game but in the second the Sri lankan changed his game by prodding Kashyap to end the rallies quickly and thus make unforced errors. He was successfull as the score line once was 20-07 in favor of the Lankan. But then something dramatic happened. Kashyap being 13 game points down went in his shell and started defensively returning whatever lankan had to throw at him and thus won 8 straight points as the lankan was getting impatient. Kashyap lost the game 21-15 but he had found the receipe for the third set. He won the third set confortably to move to the quarter finals. First ever indian to do that. A truely remarkable feat. His next meeting is with the world number 1. Lets see whats in store for us today evening. Watch the game for Kashyaps brilliance and Gopis pensive strategying.
Saina as expected very confortably moved to quarters. These walkaway victories to saina are like idlis to south indians so nothing more needs to be said. Just keep yourself free today evening for these two quarter finals.
Now the disappointments. From where to start? Deepika kumari the world number 1 was very ordinary may be first olypic nerves getting better of her. Shooter missed the targets. But the shocker came in hockey where New Zealand thrashed us 3-1. New Zealand? Seriously?. Better india does not qualify for olympic hockey and save us the embarrasment
The last match of the day was the mens doubles second round match featuring paes-vardhan and tsonga-llorda of france. You watch matches like this and wonder if Paes is the best sportsmen india ever produced. 39 years of age playing against second seeded with a lesser known player as partener and this guy giving the opponents a run for their money single handedly. The match eventually lost by india but these losses dont hurt as much as 3-1 trashing by kiwis. Paes was taking care of Vishnu like his younger brother and was covering almost three fourth of court. They lost the first set in tie breaker, won the second but lost the third one narrowly to lose the game. Full marks to vishnu for playing a learning game with good serve and return. This guy has a bright future. But Paes is simply exceptional. Have seen him playing along side a calm Ramesh krishnan, mahesh bhupati and martina narvatilova and now vishnu vardhan goes to show how accomplished a doubles player he is.
Today I get a feel that we will have another medal to our tally. Ronjan Sodhi will bring some good news in doubles trap.
Todays Menu
Medal hope : Ronjan Sodhi (shooting).
Arjun: Saina, Jai Bhagwan and Vijendar in boxing.
Abhimanyu: Kashyap, Paes-Sania