Complementing each other really well!
The Indians are complementing each other really well at the Energia Areena. While Ashwini took up the duty of keeping the rally alive on herself, Arjun came up with the winner to help India to 13-7 lead.
11-7
India go to the first mid-game break as the happier side. This has been a very good start for India - not something we have said often in this tournament. Ashwini-Arjun look determined to pocket this.
9-6
The Finnish pair trying to hit back, but the Indians have kept things tight until now. The team could not have asked for a better start from Ashwini-Arjun.
Early lead for India
Ashwini Ponnappa looking in very good touch as India race to a 7-2 lead. The Indians are moving very well on the court.
Ashwini gets the scoreboard ticking
India gets the first point of the match, thanks to a wonderfully placed shot by Ashwini Ponnappa.
The players are out on court!
Both pairs, Ponnappa-Arjun and Anton-Jenny, are out on the court and are warming up currently. We would be good to go in a couple of minutes now.
"Bharat Mata ki...Jai"
"Bharat mata ki...Jai!" shouts the Indian contingent as they enter the Energia Areena.
Mixed doubles up first!
Unlike the first two ties where we started with the men's doubles, it is the mixed doubles first today.
India will be led by a brand new pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and MR Arjun. The duo will be up against Anton Kaisti and Jenny Nystrom, who have been playing together for ages. An interesting matchup this!
Lines up are out!
Quite a few changes for India from the previous match for China. The management has decided to field the young Rutaparna Panda and Tanisha Crasto in women's doubles, replacing the veteran pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy. Ponnappa will play mixed doubles instead with MR Arjun, while Sai Praneeth and Sikki Reddy won't be in action.
Also, Malvika Bansod comes in for women's singles while Kidambi Srikanth moves back to his preferred singles section.
Points Table
This is how the points table looks as of now. A win today will ensure that India does not end up with the wooden spoon in group A.
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