As medals come in, there is a new silver lining in India's bridge room

The Indian seniors did an incredible job given that two of the three partnerships were ad hoc

The recent World Bridge Championships at Salso­maggiore, Italy, was yet another event where Covid-19 reared its corona. Many players tested positive and it was a miracle that the four main events were completed. Amidst all the tension, the Indian team won a silver in the d’Orsi Seniors (for players over 60), losing the final to Poland after beating star-studded favourites, USA and France.

Bridge is the only Olympic-recognised sport where players routinely receive permission to consume banned prescription drugs. Competitors are often in their 70s, and require medication for sundry ailments.

There is a reason why bridge favours experience over