Tanvi’s World Juniors high kindles the Saina-Sindhu successor talk

Who after Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu? The question had hovered over Indian badminton for around a decade, with no expert able to provide an answer.

- Sandip Sikdar

India's Tanvi Sharma during the BWF World Junior Championships in Guwahati.

Until, perhaps, now. In a bright scenario, there are currently five Indians in the top 10 of the world junior rankings. And one of ‘them has made a big impact.

Junior world No.l Tanvi Sharma became only the third Indian female to reach the final of the BWF World Junior Championships earlier this month. Only ‘Aparna Popat (silver in 1996) and Saina (silver in 2006, gold in 2008) had reached there earlier. Tanvi lost in the final to Thailand's Anyapat Phichitpreechasak in Guwahati, but she made an impact in that run to be seen as the possible next big thing.

“Tanvi reaching the final is truly a remarkable achievement. This performance will undoubtedly inspire many young girls across the country, particularly ata time when people oftenask, ‘Who after Sindhu and Saina?,,” selector and former chief coach U Vimal Kumar told HT from Bengaluru.

“Her playing style is very much in line with our traditional strengths —she uses her deceptive clears with great effect and shows excellent touch and control at the net. With bit more strength and physical development, she will becomean even more formidable player. What stands out most is her ability to overcome higherranked players at such a young age, a quality that sets apart future champions.”