Dhols, chants and belief: How Delhi turned a World Championships semi-final into a homecoming

A packed Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium created an unforgettable atmosphere as Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand battled China's top seeds in the BWF World Championships semi-finals. Chants, dhols and unwavering support drove the Indian pair throughout their 64-minute contest. Though the eventual bronze medallists fell short, Delhi's passionate crowd emerged as one of the tournament's defining stories.

By TANUJ LAKHINA