5 reasons for Kidambi Srikanth's slide in form in the second half of 2015

In 2014, we saw a young 21-year-old badminton player rise from the ranks and cause problems to some of the best in the business. Kidambi Srikanth had suddenly made every Indian badminton fan feel more secure about the upcoming generation of shuttlers, by announcing himself on the scene with some very impressive performances.Those exploits carried forward into 2015 when he won the India Open Gand Prix gold and the Swiss Open titles. But following those wins, the shuttler has hit a barren patch and has been eliminated in early stages in some big tournaments.So what has gone wrong? Here’s an analysis:

#1 Losses to unseeded players

Kidambi Srikanth hasnt had a great time since his Swiss Open title win in March

Ever since his Swiss Open title win in March earlier this year, Kidambi Srikanth has been eliminated in many competitions by players who didn't have seed in the tournament. The Indonesia Open Superseries saw the Indian losing to home favourite but unseeded Anthony Githing in three games.

In the Chinese Taipei Open that followed, Srikanth was knocked out in the second round by yetanother unseeded player, this time Ihsan Mustofa in straight games. Now there is no doubt that there have been some great upsets in different sports, not just badminton, but each time a good player succumbs tothe underdog, it is generally seen that he is much better prepared the next time round.

It's an important lesson that Srikanth needs to imbibe in order to proceed and become a player of note.

#2 Unable to close out matches

Srikanth must learn to close out matches from winning positions

One of the things that every Indian sports fan has experienced at some point while watching or covering matches has been our inability to close out matches after getting to winning positions. That habit applies to Srikanth’s game also.

The Indian on many occasions has reached a position where it seemed like he was going to progress through but in the end failed to cross the finish line. It happened recently at the Hong Kong Open Superseries where while facing Tian Houwei, he was 14-10 up but lost 12 out of the next 20 points to get the scores back on level terms and then lost the next 2 points to bow out of the competition.

In the coming days, Srikanth will face a similar situation, perhaps in a Superseries final, and giving away the advantage then could prove to be fatal.

#3 Facing the same opponent and losing each time

Srikanth needs to learn from his mistakes

Ever since March Srikanth has faced a few opponents on multiple occasions. One among them has been Tian Houwei of China. The Indian has faced the Chinese player 6 times since his Swiss Open win and has lost on all 6 occasions.

Now there’s always a debate over who is a great player and who is a not-so-great player. A great player is one who learns from the mistakes made while playing and losing to an opponent and comes back stronger the next time he faces him while a not so great player doesn‘t do so.

Srikanth must understand where he was going wrong and perhaps try to alter his game in order to get a positive result in his favour in the future.

#4 Losing to absolute rank outsiders

Srikanth has lost to some real outsiders in the last few tournaments

One of the things that makeevery sport intriguing is when the underdog raises his game and puts forth an inspiring performance against the more favoured opposition. But if that happens in almost every round, then it certainly doesn't leave a sweet taste in some mouths.

Something similar has happened over the past few months with Srikanth who has lost to some rank outsiders on quite a few occasions. He lost to Anthony Githing, who was ranked 167thin the world at the time in the second round.

Prior to that he lost to a player from Thailand named Tanonsak Saensomboonsak in straight games. It is imperative that Srikanth learns to go past less favoured opponents and play the more tougher ones on a consistent basis.

#5 Giving away the early advantage

Srikanth has trailed in most of his matches in recent times

In any badminton match, one of the things that every player looks to do is try and take the early edge over proceedings by winning the opening game, thereby enhancing his chances of winning the match.

On quite a few occasions in recent times, Srikanth has faced a situation where the opponent has taken that advantage and that has meant that the pressure on him in the second game is significantly more.

In his last 8 matches, the shuttler has lost the opening game on 6 occasions and incidentally he has lost all 6 times when he has been a game down. As the season enters a close, it is important for the Indian to make note of the errors he had made during this season and come back stronger next year.