Mumbai, Aug 16: Veteran shuttler Jwala Gutta and cricket legend Anil Kumble on Sunday congratulated Saina Nehwal for becoming the first Indian to bag a silver medal at the badminton World Championships.

World No.2 Saina lost the women's singles final in the ongoing meet at Jakarta to Spanish top seed and title holder Carolina Marin 16-21, 19-21. This was the world No.1 Spaniard's second consecutive win over Saina in five career meetings.

World Championships: Saina Nehwal loses final, settles for historic silver medal

However, it was the first time that an Indian has pocketed a silver medal at the World Championships.

"Tough luck. First silver ever proud moment for badminton in India!!!" Gutta wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

Tough luck #sainanehwal .. #firstsilverever proud moment for badminton in India!!!

— Gutta Jwala (@Guttajwala) August 16, 2015

Former Indian Test cricket captain and iconic leg-spinner Kumble tweeted: "Well played. Really proud of you. Good fight! Bad luck today! Lost to a better player on the day!"

Well played @NSaina. Really proud of you. Good fight! Bad luck today! Lost to a better player on the day!

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 16, 2015

"We are proud of you, as we get our first Silver medallist at the World Championship. So proud of you," Sports Authority of India (SAI) tweeted.

You have made us all proud @NSaina Your silver medal at the World Championship will be an inspiration. Well done again

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 16, 2015

Indian Super League (ISL) team FC Goa tweeted: "You didn't win the Championship, but you've won our hearts! Very well fought."

IANS