After having had a dream season on the international circuit, Kidambi Srikanth is all set to grace the court once again, but this time, he will be doing so in the senior nationals, in Nagpur, on Monday.
Srikanth has by far been India’s best performer in the international circuit, becoming the first shuttler from the country to win four Superseries titles in the same year. That same feat also made him only the fourth shuttler worldwide, to win four SS titles.
The 24-year-old has been on a record-breaking spree this season, having earned victories against top shuttlers like Lee Chong Wei and World No 1 and World Champion Viktor Axelsen.
Srikanth’s exploits have propelled him to the second position in the BWF men’s singles rankings. By doing this, Srikanth became the second highest ranked Indian men’s singles badminton player ever. The highest record in this category still stands with Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone, who had achieved this feat back in 1980, when he also became the first Indian to clinch the All-England Championship.
The Guntur-born lad has even exceeded his coach and mentor Pullela Gopichand, who had also clinched the All England in 2001. However, with three more Superseries tournaments to go, it remains to be seen how well Srikanth prepares himself in the national games.
Srikanth will be facing Aryaman Tandon in the pre-quarterfinal stage of the tournament on Monday. Tandon is one of the young upcoming players in the Indian badminton scene, and will look to provide the best men’s singles shuttler in the country with a stiff challenge.
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