INDIAN SHUTTLERS SEEK BIG SERVICE

In the absence of PV Sindhu, spotlight will be on the likes of HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen

- 

With the Paris Olympics qualification period concluding in April end, the onus will be on these globetrotters to fetch as many as ranking points as possible. With the India Open Super 750 event commencing here on Tuesday, the country's shuttlers will be looking to make the most of playing in familiar surroundings.

A productive outing could boost their prospects of catching a flight to Paris. In the absence of star shuttler PV Sindhu, the spotlight will be on the likes of HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen.

After years of toil, Prannoy has emerged as the frontrunner in the men's singles department from the country and he'll be looking to maintain his status. A strong run in front of the home fans will solidify his position in the bigger scheme of things. While Prannoy has embraced consistency in the last twenty-four months or so, the same can't be said about the other two high-profile names in the said category.

Both Srikanth and Lakshya have been unable to find solutions inside the court over the last year or so and their loss of form is evident in their fall in rankings. The India Open, thus, is a massive opportunity for the duo to get out of the rust.

Former national chief coach, U Vimal Kumar, who'll be supporting the likes of Lakshya in the capital city, is hopeful that the home shuttlers can rise during the event.