During the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the Indian men's volleyball squad managed a surprising 3-2 win against three-time champions South Korea in their Pool C match, ensuring their progression to the knock-out rounds. After losing the first set 25-27, India bounced back strong, taking the second and third sets 29-27 and 25-22. South Korea responded by winning the fourth set 25-20 to force a fifth set. In a nail-biting finale, India led 14-12 with two match points, but the Koreans fought back to take a narrow 15-14 lead.
With the dream of a historic victory fading, Manjunath Lakshmipuram emerged as the game-changer, scoring a stunning spike to tie the match and then a block to regain the lead. The win was officially clinched when Erin Varghese executed a dominant block at the net.
Ashwal Rai described the match as a total rollercoaster, noting that while the pressure was intense, the team's communication and tactical approach—including knowing when to slow the pace—were key to their success. He emphasized that beating a team of Korea's caliber is a massive milestone. This result places India at the top of Pool C, putting them in a strong position for the Round of 12 draw, following their previous 3-0 sweep of Cambodia.
Coach Tom Joseph expressed immense pride, stating that this victory is a direct result of the team's relentless hard work. He believes that overcoming a formidable opponent like South Korea will provide a huge psychological boost and proves that the team is capable of competing at the highest level.
The scale of the upset is significant: South Korea is a global volleyball powerhouse ranked 27th and has medaled in every Asian Games since 1966. In contrast, India is ranked 73rd and hasn't reached the podium since the 1986 Seoul Games. India's journey toward a medal continues in the knock-outs, where they will face either Mongolia or Chinese Taipei.