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.

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.



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!"



"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.



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

IANS