All smiles as Popat back in Uber squad

There was a buzz in the India camp today and happy faces in the women’s squad said it all. Whatever Badminton Association of India (BAI...

There was a buzz in the India camp today and happy faces in the women’s squad said it all. Whatever Badminton Association of India (BAI) officials say about the unsavoury episode that led to India number one Aparna Popat pulling out of the Uber Cup squad, Trupti Murgunde and Saina Nehwal are beaming: Aparna would be joining them tomorrow.

It was as much of a surprise to the players as to all around. Coach Vimal Kumar thanked the BAI for sorting out the matter in time. “We got to know of it only this evening, and it’s great news for the team. I think the BAI was right in asking her to prove her fitness, but all is well that ends well,” he said.

BAI secretary L C Gupta, however, said the decision had to be taken keeping in mind the Commonwealth Games. “Since there is hardly any time before the team leaves for the camp in Indonesia on February 28, we decided the best way to see if she was match-fit was by making her play in the Uber Cup. She has already given a fitness certificate, and this decision follows logically,” he said.

The players, though, had their own reasons to rejoice.

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Trupti and Saina said that Aparna’s inclusion would revive the balance of the team. “She is our best player and the fact that she will be playing the first singles against the opposition’s top player means we will have better balance in the side,” Trupti said. In the event, Trupti will play the second singles, while Saina will play the third.

Not that Trupti was reluctant to play the first singles. “I was unbeaten in Uber Cup and Sudirman Cup last year. So, it wouldn’t have been a problem for me, but Aparna being there does make a difference,” she said.

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