No title to show until the eighth event of the BWF Super Series, Priyanshu Rajawat broke the spell in at the Orleans Masters in France in April. It was a Super 300 event, below Super 1000, 750, 500 and above Super 100. In the next six tournaments, Indians snatched four titles — three of them in higher categories. The biggest was Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s Indonesia Open win — India’s first-ever Super 1000 catch. HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen won Super 500 events. So many Indians bagging titles in a season is unprecedented.
The women have not fared as well and the lone podium was PV Sindhu’s second-place finish at the Super 300 Spain Masters. Saina Nehwal never progressed beyond the second round. Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly have shown promise in women’s doubles but they have a long way to go. All the titles were secured by players in the men’s section. RevSportz caught up with Pullela Gopichand, the chief national coach, to talk about the progress made by the teams, the performance of the women and other matters.
The following are the excerpts from an interview:
Atreyo: Five Super Series titles won by three individuals and a doubles pair. How significant is this, looking ahead to the World Championship and Asian Games?
Gopichand: It’s amazing that we have so many different players winning titles, including some big ones. I mean Satwik and Chirag were superb in winning the Badminton Asia Championship and the Indonesia Open (Super 1000). Both are really big tournaments. These two form a top pair. Lakshya and Prannoy clinching Super 500 titles is also commendable. Then Priyanshu (a trainee at Gopichand’s Hyderabad-based academy for over a decade) won a Super 300.
All these wins are significant in their own ways. The good thing is, these players are coming up with good performances in events that will help them qualify for next year’s Olympics (barring Rajawat, who mostly plays in lower-category events). After a slow start to the season, the players have come back well. This is an encouraging sign.
Atreyo: What’s your assessment of the scenario as the chief national coach?
Gopichand: As far as the top players are concerned, they are pretty okay. Men’s doubles apart, Lakshya and Prannoy have won tournaments, while (Kidambi) Srikanth has made a turnaround. In women’s doubles, Gayatri and Treesa have shown signs that they can make progress (reached the All England semi-finals for the second time in a row). But I feel this is the time to work on the junior level. There are a few promising kids, but we have to cast the net wider to find more talent, so that we can bring them under our coaching system. That is the most important area if we are looking at the next generation. There is still a lot to be done about this. It should start soon.
Also Read: “This Win Gives Me a Lot of Confidence Going Forward” – Lakshya Sen Exclusive
Atreyo: What about the progress of Lakshya Sen?
Gopichand: Winning the Canada Open should be a big boost for Lakshya. He did not have the best of starts to the season, but came back strongly. That is important and that’s why this win is fantastic. It should stand him in good stead ahead of the remaining tournaments, which will be crucial.
Atreyo: Satwik and Chirag pulled out of a few events yet nailed the big one in Indonesia. What are your expectations of them?
Gopichand: Whichever event they play, Satwik and Chirag are among the favourites. They have won big matches under pressure and believe that they can beat the best. However, selecting tournaments and maintaining fitness is going to play a vital part. And choosing tournaments can be a tricky call. They are at a stage of their career where they have to take such decisions. Otherwise, as far as their game goes, they are right up there and always one of the favourites, no matter how big the tournament is.
Atreyo: Although she does well in big events, does Sindhu look a bit below-par at the moment?
Gopichand: Sindhu has done well, and looks like she is getting back to a position where she can do better. Reaching the Canada Open semi-finals suggests she is on her way. She has a very good record in big events. Given her experience and strengths as a player, I expect her to do a lot better in the coming weeks. She knows what it takes to get there. It’s just a matter of time for Sindhu.
Atreyo: Are stocks somewhat low in women’s singles? All titles have been won by men…
Gopichand: As far as women’s singles is concerned, there is a future. There are a few players coming through the ranks. But they are not there yet. Players take time to mature and these are youngsters. We have to wait for them to do well at the international level.
Atreyo: A few words on Priyanshu, the youngster?
Gopichand: Even if Super 300, it was a tough tournament. I am happy with his performance also because the troubles this bunch faced in the last few years. Training and preparations for the younger lot suffered due to Covid-19 restrictions. They lost time in terms of coaching and other things. When they started playing tournaments after that, they were short on preparation. That’s why Priyanshu’s win is gratifying.
Indians in Super Series events in 2023 so far
Winners
Super 1000: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Indonesia Open)
Super 500: HS Prannoy (Malaysian Masters)
Super 500: Lakshya Sen (Canada Open)
Super 300: Satwik/Chirag (Swiss Open)
Super 300: Priyanshu Rajawat (Orleans Masters)
Runner-up
Super 300: PV Sindhu (Spain Open)
Semi-finalists
Super 1000: Satwik/Chirag (Malaysian Open)
Super 1000: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly (All England)
Super 1000: HS Prannoy (Indonesia Open)
Super 500: PV Sindhu (Malaysian Masters)
Super 500: Lakshya Sen (Thailand Open)
Super 500: PV Sindhu (Canada Open)
Events held: 15
Events remaining: 15
(Updated up to Canada Open)
Also Read: “We Were on the Attack from the Word Go”: Chirag-Satwik on Their Indonesian Open Win