Commonwealth Games: India make it 3 in 3 in Bowls women's pair with dramatic Tonga win
Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh beat Tonga in a tie-breaker after their women's pairs match split sets. The win kept India unbeaten in Section B and kept them on track for making it to the semi-finals.
India's experienced lawn bowls pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh extended their unbeaten run at the Commonwealth Games, edging past Tonga in a tense women's pairs Section B encounter on Saturday. The Indian duo sealed a 2-0 victory in the match after winning the tie-breaker, keeping their semifinal hopes firmly in their own hands. Rupa and Pinki have powered India to wins over Malta and South Africa earlier.
The contest began with Tonga's Paris Baker and Milika Nathan drawing first blood, taking the opening end to move 1-0 ahead. Baker's accurate deliveries put India under early pressure despite Rupa completing all three of her bowls.
India at Commonwealth Games, Day 3: Updates
India quickly found their rhythm in the second end. Strong coordination between lead Rupa and skip Pinki helped restore parity, with Rupa producing an excellent second bowl that shifted the momentum in India's favour. From there, the pair stayed in control and wrapped up the opening set 5-2.
Tonga responded impressively in the second set. Baker and Nathan dominated the early exchanges, racing to a commanding 6-0 advantage after the first three ends. Although Rupa and Pinki attempted a late recovery, the deficit proved too large to overcome as Tonga claimed the set 6-4, sending the match into a tie-breaker.
With the result hanging in the balance, the Indian pair produced when it mattered most. Rupa gave India the early edge in the decider before Pinki held her nerve to complete the victory and preserve India's perfect record in the competition.
Rupa and Pinki, who were members of India's historic women's fours team that captured Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022, have now won all three of their Section B matches.
England also remain unbeaten with three victories from three outings in the group. However, the English pair tops the standings after winning one more set than the Indian duo. Rupa and Pinki will be next in action on Sunday, July 26.
India's experienced lawn bowls pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh extended their unbeaten run at the Commonwealth Games, edging past Tonga in a tense women's pairs Section B encounter on Saturday. The Indian duo sealed a 2-0 victory in the match after winning the tie-breaker, keeping their semifinal hopes firmly in their own hands. Rupa and Pinki have powered India to wins over Malta and South Africa earlier.
The contest began with Tonga's Paris Baker and Milika Nathan drawing first blood, taking the opening end to move 1-0 ahead. Baker's accurate deliveries put India under early pressure despite Rupa completing all three of her bowls.
India at Commonwealth Games, Day 3: Updates
India quickly found their rhythm in the second end. Strong coordination between lead Rupa and skip Pinki helped restore parity, with Rupa producing an excellent second bowl that shifted the momentum in India's favour. From there, the pair stayed in control and wrapped up the opening set 5-2.
Tonga responded impressively in the second set. Baker and Nathan dominated the early exchanges, racing to a commanding 6-0 advantage after the first three ends. Although Rupa and Pinki attempted a late recovery, the deficit proved too large to overcome as Tonga claimed the set 6-4, sending the match into a tie-breaker.
With the result hanging in the balance, the Indian pair produced when it mattered most. Rupa gave India the early edge in the decider before Pinki held her nerve to complete the victory and preserve India's perfect record in the competition.
Rupa and Pinki, who were members of India's historic women's fours team that captured Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022, have now won all three of their Section B matches.
England also remain unbeaten with three victories from three outings in the group. However, the English pair tops the standings after winning one more set than the Indian duo. Rupa and Pinki will be next in action on Sunday, July 26.
India's experienced lawn bowls pair of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh extended their unbeaten run at the Commonwealth Games, edging past Tonga in a tense women's pairs Section B encounter on Saturday. The Indian duo sealed a 2-0 victory in the match after winning the tie-breaker, keeping their semifinal hopes firmly in their own hands. Rupa and Pinki have powered India to wins over Malta and South Africa earlier.
The contest began with Tonga's Paris Baker and Milika Nathan drawing first blood, taking the opening end to move 1-0 ahead. Baker's accurate deliveries put India under early pressure despite Rupa completing all three of her bowls.
India at Commonwealth Games, Day 3: Updates
India quickly found their rhythm in the second end. Strong coordination between lead Rupa and skip Pinki helped restore parity, with Rupa producing an excellent second bowl that shifted the momentum in India's favour. From there, the pair stayed in control and wrapped up the opening set 5-2.
Tonga responded impressively in the second set. Baker and Nathan dominated the early exchanges, racing to a commanding 6-0 advantage after the first three ends. Although Rupa and Pinki attempted a late recovery, the deficit proved too large to overcome as Tonga claimed the set 6-4, sending the match into a tie-breaker.
With the result hanging in the balance, the Indian pair produced when it mattered most. Rupa gave India the early edge in the decider before Pinki held her nerve to complete the victory and preserve India's perfect record in the competition.
Rupa and Pinki, who were members of India's historic women's fours team that captured Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022, have now won all three of their Section B matches.
England also remain unbeaten with three victories from three outings in the group. However, the English pair tops the standings after winning one more set than the Indian duo. Rupa and Pinki will be next in action on Sunday, July 26.
