CWG 2022: India reaches historic lawn bowls final

Birmingham: Women fours team assured the first-ever lawn bowls medal for India as they sailed into historic final after beating New Zealand here on Monday at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022.

The team comprise of Lovely Choubey, Pinki, Nayanmoni Saikia and Rupa Tirkey beat the fancied New Zealand 16-13 in a thrilling contest at Victoria Park in Royal Leamington Spa. The Kiwis have won 40 CWG medals in the sport, including 13 gold medals.

India will take on South Africa for the gold medal on Tuesday.

India had a challenging start as they were trailing 0-5 after the first two ends and registered their first point after the third end, making it 1-5.

Then Indian women slowly drew level with the Kiwis, making it 5-6 after the seventh end and held lead for the first time after the eighth end, going 7-6 up against New Zealand.

Soon the lead stretched to 10-7 after the 10th end but the Kiwis were quick to equalise 10-10 before reclaiming the lead at 12-10 after the 12th end.

The Indians levelled it up to 12-12 after the next end but the Kiwis had a narrow 13-12 lead after the 14th. However, in the 15th and final end, India took the narrower lines and surged ahead to make a historic final and guarantee themselves at least a silver medal. (UNI)