India upset Thailand 3-2 in the Asian Zone Uber Cup badminton tournament qualifier at the Sawai Mansingh sports complex in Jaipur on Wednesday.
Top shuttlers Aparna Popat, Saina Nehwal and the energetic duo of B R Meenakshi and Aparna Balan pulled off sensational victories and gave India's campaign to enter the finals of the World Team Badminton Championship a thumping start.
In other matches, Chinese Taipei beat Malaysia 3-2, Singapore trounced Pakistan 5-0 and Indonesia white-washed Iran 5-0 in the morning session.
The day belonged to the Indians, who started as underdogs against Thailand. But the experience of Aparna Popat set the tempo for the hosts as she got the better of world number 22 Ponsana Salakjit 2-1 in a thrilling encounter.
Aparna, who has just recovered from a wrist injury, lost the first game 12-21 but pulled up her socks to win the next two 21-19, 21-18 and give Indians a vital 1-0 lead.
Thailand restored parity when their doubles pair of Saralee Thungkongkum and Sathinee Chankrachangwong outclassed Jwala P Gutta and Shruti Kurian 21-11, 21-15.
Monthila Meemak, world No 32, then subdued Trupti Murugande 2-0 in another singles, winning both games 21-19, 21-15 to hand a 2-1 lead to the visitors.
But the Indian doubles pair of B R Meenakshi and Aprna Balan fought back and pulled off the second doubles to level the scores at 2-2.
Playing first time as doubles combination in an international match, Meenakshi and Balan beat Kulchala Worawichitchaikul and Sujitra Ekmongkolpaisarn 13-21, 21-16, and 21- 15 to keep the tie alive.
With the score tied 2-2, Indian hopes rested on young starlet Saina Nehwal.
The up and coming girl did not disappoint the fans as she held her nerve to beat Sarojita Chansrisukot 21-17, 22-10 and present India a memorable win.
Saina played a clever game of rallying and used her strokes to create openings and go for the kill.
Banking on her opponent Sarojita Chansrisukot's unforced errors Saina squeezed through the first game 21-17.
She took a healthy 17-12 lead in the next game but the Thai girl closed in at 17-16.
Saina, with some deft placements and smashes, raced to 19-16 but squandered the strong position as scores were level at 19-19.
An erratic drop by Sarotja gave Saina a match-point but her placement found the net.
With both players tied at 20-20 Saina got the advantage through a fine smash and then Sarotja netted the shuttle to give Saina and the Indians a sigh of relief.
India now meet Singapore and then Hong Kong but have crossed a major hurdle by overcoming Thailand.
