‘Our best is good enough to win a medal’

INDIAN OPEN Super 750 is currently on in Delhi and all eyes will be on the Indians if they can rake in some valuable points in the final cycle of the Olympic qualification, which ends on April 28, 2024. At this point, Satwik and Chirag are sure to make the cut while HS Prannoy, ranked number 8, and PV Sindhu, ranked 9, and one who has frozen her ranking because of the injury, look well poised to make it to Paris. Among others, Lakshya Sen and Srikanth Kidambi both have a chance. While Sen is ranked 17, Srikanth is currently ranked 24 and with some stellar efforts, one of them can still make it to Paris. Women’s doubles, too, has turned highly interesting with Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto doing really well to push Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand. With the scenario still complex, Pullela Gopichand sounded all confident about India’s chances and had some interesting things to say. Excerpts from the interview:

Satwik and Chirag were brilliant in Malaysia. While some might say that leading 10-3, they should have closed the decider against Liang and Wang, such things happen in sport. But in every sense, they remain our best chance for an Olympic medal this year.

I have said this to you earlier also and I will repeat myself that if Satwik and Chirag are playing at their best, there are very few who can beat them. They have the game. If you see, their defending is a lot better and they can be relentless in attack. They are powerful boys and can overpower any opponent. All they need to do is stay fit and focused, and all things will be in their favour. What really works for them is their camaraderie on and off the court. They back each other all the time and you can see the results now. Without a doubt, they will have a major chance at the Olympics.

What stands out in their game is the improvement in their defending. Can you elaborate on that?

Yes, and that’s what has made them a complete team. You cannot always attack. It isn’t possible. Nor does it work all the time. Now, they are as good defensively and that’s where they are winning a lot more points.

Is Liang and Wang becoming a bit of a bogey pair?

I don’t think so. Like Chia and Soh or the Minions, it is just a matter of time. In the Malaysia Open final too, had they sustained the intensity into the decider, they would have won. I am very confident when I say this—if they play to their potential, it’s enough for them to beat any team in the world at the moment.

What about the men’s singles? Tell me about HS Prannoy.

Prannoy is in very good shape and has played some of his best badminton in 2023. We all know how difficult it has been for him in the past and I am particularly pleased with his work ethic. He is enjoying his game and again on his day, can beat any player in the world. All he needs to do is stay fit. Some years earlier when he was out with an injury, I remember telling him that in a long career of 10-12 years, 1-2 years should be set aside for injury. He has had his share [of injuries] and has emerged mentally stronger. He won some fantastic matches in 2023. To beat [Viktor] Axelsen in Denmark, for example, will be a high point. The Asian Games medal he won after being two match points down is always going to go down as one of the most heroic fights, more so because he was nursing a serious back injury.

If Prannoy is fit, he will have a real chance of a medal in Paris. He now has the confidence and the skill to take on anyone and get past them.

For the second singles spot, I hope both Srikanth and Lakshya have some good months and one of them makes the cut. Both have a chance still but need some strong performances in the next three months. Needless to say, both have the potential and the ability. What they both need is consistency, and things can surely work out.

And Sindhu?

You can never write Sindhu off ahead of big tournaments like the Olympics. She has the pedigree and has two Olympic medals. She knows how to win at the big stage and I hope she will make a strong comeback and do well. She just needs to stay fit like the others and get back to her best. I remain hopeful that she will put in a strong performance at the Olympics.

The women’s doubles, too, has become competitive with Ashwini and Tanisha playing well. Gayatri, too, is now back and has recovered from injury.

Healthy competition is always good for sport. If you have teams challenging each other, it will always make the sport more robust in the country. The more players you have in the top bracket, the better your chances of winning a medal. So, this is a very welcome sign.

Badminton is the only sport, apart from wrestling, that has three consecutive medals at the Olympics. Saina in 2012, Sindhu in 2016, and again, Sindhu in 2021. How confident are you about a medal this time round?

I am cautiously optimistic and with reason. As I have already detailed out, we have a huge chance in the men’s doubles with Satwik and Chirag. It is now all about staying fit and focused. If they stay on top of their game, there is no stopping them. We also have a reasonable chance with Prannoy who is playing some excellent badminton, and has done so in 2023. With Sindhu in big events, there is always a chance. So, to say that I am not confident wouldn’t be right. Having said that, there is no point putting any pressure on any of our players. Pressure is there, in any case. I don’t want to add to it. It is the Olympics and the biggest competition of all. So, everyone will be determined to do their best. And I can say this to you with a lot of confidence that our best is good enough to win a medal. In these final few months, all we need to do is take it one step at a time. Qualify by April and then gradually get in the groove for the Games. It will be important to try and change the colour of the medal this time round.

badmintonLakshya SenOlympicsParis 2024Pullela GopichandSrikanth Kidambi