As a sports analyst, I look for a fight in a team. Though India lost the tie 1-4 against Indonesia in the Thomas Cup on Wednesday, there was plenty of fight on display which augurs well for Indian badminton, going forward. In fact, in the match against China today afternoon, I am yet again going to look for fight. The draw, which will be announced at 11.15am, will be an interesting one. While India’s title defence is on the line, the truth is this is the best we have seen the Indians play in a while. Let’s go step by step.
HS Prannoy looked down and out against Ginting in the first game. He was making basic errors and conceding points. The early lead conceded was enough for Ginting to close out the game rather easily. In game two, it was a changed Prannoy. Fighting for every point and unafraid of long rallies, Prannoy had started to push Ginting to all parts of the court.
All of a sudden, the unforced errors started creeping in. The wry smile came out in anxiety and Prannoy had his chances. Gopi and Guru were both screaming instructions from the back court and it was intense. The win was the best of the year for Prannoy and must set him up for the quarter final this afternoon. It will also be a test for his body. Can he recover in time and make a match of it is the big question.
Satwik-Chirag would feel they should have won it. Having won the first game, they seemed down and out in the second before making a miraculous recovery. That’s when I thought they had momentum. The never-give-up attitude was in evidence and it was a special effort to make it back from where they did. In fact, that was the story of the match. They kept coming back and just when it seemed they could clinch it, did they lose a few points. But there was enough there from the duo to believe they will be ready for China this afternoon.
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Lakshya Sen, too, showed glimpses of where coach Prakash Padukone wants him to be before the Paris Olympics. He pushed Christie hard and in both games one and two and could have won. His smashes, court coverage, composure was top draw as he pushed the World No.3 really hard. And may I say that’s what gives me hope. The fight and the intensity. China is a powerhouse, yes, but as defending champions India will be ready. If the players are able to recover on time and it will be a test, a classic awaits. The title is on the line and India will be ready. There is more at stake for China and they are aware of it. Be it with D.Gukesh in chess or with badminton, this is the battle royale and each one of the players will have to dig deep.
The support will be with the Chinese and that will make it more difficult for the Indians. But remember the Asian Games in Hangzhou? Prannoy and Satchi had done it then and can do it now. Lakshya will surely chip in and I expect Srikanth to get his act together as well. In the decider last night, he literally gave it away and seemed a tad lost. So much so, he even looked kind of disinterested. Yes, the tie was lost but plenty more was at stake. And that’s where Srikanth needs to get better today. All of India needs to back the team and the cheer brigade, which has done a fabulous job so far, will have plenty to do this afternoon.
As I said, the title is on the line and the stakes can’t be higher. Time to back the team and believe in them.
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