The Indian team, which put up brilliant efforts to notch up seven consecutive wins to enter the final, failed to live upto the expectation when it mattered most.
They started on a disappointing note with Gao spanking Sourav Chakraborty 11-6 11-6 11-9 in the first match of the final.
World number 72 Sharath then staged a spirited fightback for India, beating Z Yang 11-8 9-11 11-9 3-11 11-8 after a long drawn battle in the second match.
However, former national champion Subhajit Saha then went down to LX Cai 2-11 2-11 9-11 8-11 before Gao again returned to the action and drubbed Sharath 11-8 11-9 11-2 to round off the tally.
Indian women team had earlier failed to qualify for the final stage of the team event.
Singapore beat Malaysia 3-0 to win women's team title.
Published 23 May 2009, 13:05 IST