New Delhi:
It's the final day of the Commonwealth Games and the last chance for India to make its gold tally better than England.
Four gold medals, including a hat-trick by boxers, took India's gold count to 36 and the overall tally to 96 on the penultimate day of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday. Eyeing 100 medals, India is locked in a close race with England for the second spot in the overall medal count on the closing day of the Commonwealth Games.
Here's a look at the crucial events of the day:
Badminton doubles - Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa (India) beat Yao Li & Sari Shinta Mulia (Singapore) to get India gold medal in badminton.
Badminton singles - Saina Nehwal (Ind) vs Mew Choo Wong (Malaysia) - 1 pm
India is pinning its hopes on World No. 3 shuttler Saina Nehwal, who will be playing the women's singles final against Malaysian Mew Choo Wong. Top seed Saina have been in red-hot form this year, winning three titles - India Open, Singapore Superseries and Indonesian Superseries -- to rise to the world number three and so far in the Games, she has remained invincible.
The 20-year-old has an enviable record of beating Wong four times this year but Saina will be fully aware that past record will not matter on Thursday. In fact, it was Wong who had stretched Saina into three games in their last encounter in the team event.
Hockey - India vs Australia - 11.30 amTill half-time an aggressive Australia were up 4-0. India had ball possession early in the first half, got opportunities, but failed to convert.
The Indians have already scripted history by ensuring themselves at least a silver medal since hockey's introduction in the Games in the 1998 Kuala Lampur edition after beating England 5-4 via tie-breaker in a dramatic second semi-final on Tuesday.
Thursday's title clash also gives India a great opportunity to avenge their identical 2-5 loss to the mighty Kookaburras during the pool stages as well as during the World Cup held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, earlier this year.
A win will not only give eight-time Olympic champions India its first-ever Commonwealth Games gold but will also do wonders for the national game, which is battling hard to redeem its lost pride.
Following is Thursday's schedule of Indian participation in the Commonwealth Games.
Athletics:Marathon Men: Ram Singh Yadav, Bining Lyngkhoi
Marathon Women: Preethi Rao
Badminton:Doubles Women Final: Jwala Gutta/ Ashwini Machimanda
Singles Women Finals: Saina Nehwal
Hockey:Men Finals: Australia vs India