SHUTTLE OF CONCERN

Indian singles shuttlers are experiencing a tough phase. Even the ever-reliable Sindhu has toiled this year. With the Olympic qualification period on, Anmol Gurung takes a look at what's ailing them...

- Anmol Gurung

Talented, gritty and monster mentality. The adjectives were all too familiar and every time a shuttler won a title or a medal, the words reverberated across the nation. They were considered as top class. It was not restricted to women’s singles alone but men too started to dominate and thrive. World Championships medals, Super Series titles and host of others flowed. Things started looking up. Even last year there were successes though a bit more sporadic.

However, with just over a year left for the 2024 Paris Olympics to commence, the country’s top singles players are struggling this season. Even a goliath player like PV Sindhu, someone who’s known to find solutions even during trying circumstances, has huffed and puffed with not much to show in 2023. The doubles teams have been the bright spot.

Returning after injury is always considered to be a monumental challenge in every sport and Sindhu is discovering the reality. It’s the same with Lakshya Sen, considered to be one of the brightest talent in the country. Kidambi Srikanth, a former World No 1 in the men’s section, has also been off colour for a while and clearly facing confidence issues at the moment. Given their struggles, it’s a huge concern with the Olympic qualification phase that started from May 1. Things will get more complicated as events will come thick and fast and players will not find enough breathing space to reflect on their mistakes and rectify them. There are multiple factors — lack of quality foreign coaches, form and spate of injuries — that have hindered their progress.