CWG 2022: Shuttlers, paddlers dazzle on last day; hockey team fizzles out; India finish 4th with 22 gold medals

It was expected that Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and the formidable pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy would end up on top of the podium but what provided the icing on the cake was the 40-year-old Sharath Kamal's gold medal-winning show against an equally good opponent in Liam Pitchford.

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The world number seven from India PV Sindhu outplayed her 13th ranked opponent Canada's Michelle Li 21-15 , 21-13 in front of a packed crowd at the NEC arena. The 30-year-old had to produce something special for her first win against Sindhu in eight years but the Indian did not give her a window.

That performance took India's gold medal count to 22, which is four less than the 2018 edition, but this time the sport of shooting was missing from the roster. The shooters had contributed seven golds in Gold Coast's 66-medal haul, and considering that, India certainly put up a good show.

However, with the 0-7 hammering of the men's hockey team by Australia, when at least a spirited fight was anticipated, the Games ended on a somewhat disappointing note. The manner in which India caved in took away the joy of the silver medal it managed. India's final tally read 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze and they stood behind third-placed Canada, which was far ahead with 92 medals (26-32-34). Australia (67-57-54) finished on top ahead of hosts England (57-66-53).

1/7In Pics, CWG 2022: Four gold medals on final day as India finish 4th with 61 medalsShow Captions<p>Shuttlers and paddlers had sensational outings on the final day of the Birmingham Games as India wrapped up the 2022 edition with a total of 61 medals, finishing fourth behind Australia,