India lost the plot in the deciding game as they went down fighting against defending champions Brazil 2-3 in a thrilling semi-final of the FIVB Men's Junior (U-21) World Volleyball Championship tournament in Pune on Saturday.
The home team brilliantly came back twice from a game deficit to level 2-2 but finally lost the match 19-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 9-15 at the Balewadi Sports Complex.
Brazil, who have been unbeaten so far in the tournament, will take on Cuba in the summit clash on Sunday. Cuba had earlier beaten Argentina 25-19, 25-18, 24-26, 25-20 in the first semi-final.
The Indians, who made their first semi-final appearance in the history of the tournament, though can hold their heads high as they gave their fancied South American rivals a tough fight.
After conceding the first game 19-25, the Indians made a fine comeback in the second with some clinical display which also forced their opponents to commit errors.
The Brazilians had to dig deep into their experience at the highest level to take the lead by winning the third game. But, eked on by a capacity crowd the Indians did not give up and won a close fourth game to take the match to the decider.
But it was not to be India's day as they lost the deciding game. From 5-8 down at the change of ends, the gap widened further and the deciding game ended at 9-15.