India win first ever South Asian badminton title

Guwahati: India lived up to their tag of favourites, walloping Nepal 3-0 to win the first ever South Asian Regional Badminton Tournament (team championship) here on Tuesday.

India who came into the final without losing a single match continued their good run with Aryaman Tandon drawing the first blood in the boys' singles competition.

Taking on the Dipesh Dhami of Nepal, Aryaman was in his elements from the word go and picked up an easy 21-9, 21-15 victory to give the hosts the early initiative.

Local star Ashmita Chaliha continued the Indian juggernaut as she sailed to a 21-9, 21-6 win over Rashila Maharjan in the girls' singles.

In the boys' doubles match, the Indian pair of Arintap Dasgupta and Krishna Prasad had to stave off a tough challenge from the Nepali duo of Dipesh Dhami and Nabin Shrestha.

Nepal started off well, winning the first game 21-19. However, the Indians came back stronger and won the next two games 21-14, 21-11 to seal the deal.