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India’s Parupalli Kashyap, the World No. 14, is doubtful of participating in the 35th PSPB inter-unit badminton tournament as he has still not completely recovered from an ankle injury sustained during the inaugural edition of the IBL, reports TOI.
“It might take another week to recover fully. I could not train much last week. The rehab sessions were quite tough as I had to travel quite some distance for them,” Kashyap told TOI on Sunday.
Kashyap also added that the ankle needed monitoring. “Now it’s basically some strength issues with the ankle. However, I am sure it will be sorted out this week. My ankle is getting better. I will speak to my management and then decide what to do,” he said ahead of the meet on Monday.
The Hyderabadi will also miss the Japan Open, but expressed optimism that he could return soon and that he was looking ahead to play in the other Super Series events.
“My next goal is to play in the Super Series in Denmark and France. All that matters to me is winning medals and tournaments,” he said, adding, “Rankings don’t mean much to me. But they help in getting good draws in tournaments.”
India’s newest badminton star, P.V. Sindhu, who suffered a shock early exit to a qualifier at last week’s Japan Open, said she was looking to work on some of her shortcomings as advised by coach P. Gopichand.
“I felt really bad after losing to Akane Yamaguchi in the Japan Open. I had a bad day. Gopi sir has asked me to focus on my mistakes and shortcomings.”
“I have been making a lot of unforced errors. I am working on that,” Sindhu said.
“It is hugely beneficial for all of us shuttlers,” Sindhu said when asked about the importance of the event.
As far as the rankings were concerned, she said, “I would like to break into the top-7. It does not come up easily, I need to prove it. It’s really difficult but I am trying my level best,” Sindhu said.
The gold medal winning women’s doubles team from the 2010 Commonwealth Games – Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta – who have now reunited, will also be in action. Ponnappa said she was looking forward to playing with Jwala Gutta again.
“I am looking forward to playing with Jwala at Denmark, France and Bitburger series. It is important that we get our rhythm and confidence back. It’s like starting off again. We share a good rapport. It’s nice that we would be back on the court together,” said Ponnappa.
“It is really important. PSPB takes a lot of trouble promoting sports. This is the least we can do.”
On the probability of the pair teaming up to represent India at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Ponnappa said they were taking things one match at a time.
“We are going to take it one step at a time. We would love to win the gold at next year’s Commonwealth Games. But since we are just starting off, it would be better to take things slowly. We need to do well in these tournaments.”
Some of the other known faces competing in the event are V. Diju, Gurusai Dutt, K. Srikanth and Ajay Jayaram among others.
