Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Defending champions India beat Singapore in the semifinal

The clash started with a mixed doubles match between the Indian pairing of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Reddy against Andu Jun Kian Kwek and Yong Kai Terry Hee of Singapore at the National Exhibition Centre.

After the win, Chirag Shetty said, "It was a really important match. We felt the goosebumps every time they chanted India India."

The Indian pair secured a comfortable 21-11, 21-12 victory over their Singaporean opponents to give India a 1-0 lead.

The next clash was a women's singles match between two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and World No. 19 Jia Min Yao. The 27-year-old shuttler raced to an 11-6 lead by the break in the first game. 

Jia Min Yao kept committing unforced errors as PV Sindhu made it 16-8 with a powerful body smash. The Hyderabad-born Indian shuttler cruised through the second to make it 2-0 for India.

World Championship bronze medalist Lakshay Sen picked up the mantle in the men's singles event against World No. 9 Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.

The 25-year-old Singaporean raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening game, but Lakshay Sen soon took control with his excellent forehand strikes to make it 11-10 going into the break.

The Indian shuttler continued with his winning ways to make it 14-10 after the break as Loh Kean Yew committed two consecutive unforced errors. The Singaporean tried to retake control with his forehand, but Lakshay Sen returned a powerful smash to make it 16-10 before clinching the first game.

Lakshay Sen cruised through the second game relatively easy to secure a 21-18, 21-15 win to secure a 3-0 victory for India at the NEC Arena in Birmingham. The victory improved the record of Lakshay Sen against Loh Kean Yew to 4-2.

After the victory, Lakshay Sen said, "It was a good match against him. I knew what to expect today. The plan worked today. Really happy that India is in the final again."

India is one step away from successfully defending its mixed team title at the Commonwealth Games. They will lock horns with Malaysia in the championship match on August 2, while Singapore will face England in the bronze medal game.