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Parupalli Kashyap is recuperating from a torn calf muscle injury, which he sustained during the second round match of the French Open Super Series Event. The 29-year-old shuttler is expected to be out of action for two months. The country’s most experienced men’s singles player talks about his rehab and much more in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q: You suffered a torn calf muscle during your second round match of the French Open against England’s Rajiv Ouseph. How has your rehab been?
A: I’ve started jogging and will start training by the first week of December. The rehab has been good so far and I hope to be in competitive action soon.
Q Do you see this injury as a setback to your plans to climb up the ranking ladder?
A: Of course, it is a setback because I won’t be able to take part in the Super Series Masters Finals, which will be held in Dubai in December. Even if I had played the China Open and Hong Kong and not won any matches, I would have comfortably made it to the Super Series Finals, where the top eight ranked shuttlers from the Super Series make the cut based on points earned from the Super Series events.
Q: Realistically when do you think you can return to the competitive circuit?
A: I don’t think I can hit the competitive circuit this year. In all likelihood, I’m looking to return to competitive action in January.
Q: You stunned world number one Chen Long of China at the Indonesian Open Super Series Premier and reached the semifinals of that event. Would you rate that win as the best of 2015?
A: It has to be my best win of 2015. I have beaten Chen twice before in Indonesia and this was my third win. He is more of a defensive player and was not looking comfortable against an opponent like me who is an attacking player.
Q: Overall, a close look at your performances will tell that you have been inconsistent this year.
A: I agree I’ve been inconsistent or else you would have regularly seen me in semifinals or finals of most tournaments. I need to work on this and get better.
Q: You have been hovering in the top-20 for a long time now – when do you think you can break into the top-5?
A: I really believe I have the ammunition to break into the top-5 – something I want to achieve in 2016.
Q: The IBL is being revived after a gap of three years – do you think it will give a big fillip to the sport in the country?
A: I’m sure the IBL will hugely benefit the emerging as well as the senior players. Hopefully, more people watch the IBL this time around.
Q: Badminton Association of India (BAI) has roped in doubles coach Tan Kim Her.Your thoughts on his appointment?
A: Tan is a top doubles coach – he has served as coach of Malaysia and Korea, who are known to be a strong force in doubles. He was a solid doubles player having represented Malaysia in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he lost in the bronze medal play-off. I’m confident the Indian doubles players will benefit from his presence.
