Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa geared up to see India through to quarters

Ashiwni Ponnappa (R) with Jwala Gitta

ew Delhi, May 13 (IANS) The Indian women’s team’s chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the 2014 Thomas and Uber Cup would depend as much on the prowess of Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu as on Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa’s ability to pull off their doubles match.

And the 2011 World championship bronze medallists, Jwala and Ashwini, are confident of playing their part and much more when the tournament kicks-off at the Siri Fort Sports Complex on May 18.

“As a team we are playing well. Recently we won the Asian Badminton Championship. There are lot of expectation from doubles as well we will give our best to clinch victory for India,” said Jwala, who made her India team debut in the Uber Cup qualifiers back in 2000 at the age of 16.

Jwala and Ashwini helped India win the team silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games at this very venue and the experienced shuttler insists that it is the charm of the team events that makes them punch about their weight.

“The whole idea of playing for a team is so different from playing individually, I am a team player and I like the feeling around that we are one team. We all have one aim, represent India and win it for the country,” Jwala added.

Ashwini insisted that the combination was getting better with every tournament and were confident of playing their part in the campaign.

“When we started out (after the break) it had been tough. But then we have been working hard and the Asian Badminton Championships was just where things have started going the way we want them,” she added.