Indian team bags silver medal at Asian U-23 Volleyball Championship

India's young volleyball team endured a tough outing in the final of the recently-concluded Asian U-23 Volleyball Championship that was held in Myanmar capital Nay Pyi Taw on Sunday. The Indians were up against a strong Chinese Taipei side in the decider who registered a comfortable 25-21, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23 win at the end of the night. 

India allowed the opposition to steer the first set, especially after the 10-point mark but threatened to mount a comeback in the latter part. However, they ended up succumbing to a 21-25 loss in the opening game. 

India took the lead early in the second set, thanks to impressive displays by Muthusamy and Shon John, but some ordinary receiving allowed Chinese Taipei to take the lead close to the 20-point mark and then seal the set with a 20-25 margin. 

Pritam Singh Chauhan's boys showed spirit as they fought hard to win the third set 25-19 but couldn't stage a comeback as Chinese Taipei sealed the win with a 25-23 win in the last set. 

“It wasn’t our best day in the office. But I am still extremely proud of the result. Yes, we would have loved to return home with a gold, but a silver is special for me as well as the young boys who worked extremely hard to reach this position. It’s been an extremely special journey,” India coach Pritam Singh Chauhan told PTI sources.