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National men8217;s champion Chetan Anand and national women8217;s doubles champions Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien were today dropped from the squad for the prestigious Sudirman Cup to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from June 10-17.

National men8217;s champion Chetan Anand and national women8217;s doubles champions Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien were today dropped from the squad for the prestigious Sudirman Cup to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from June 10-17. The BAI selection committee which met in Mumbai decided that the shuttler trio who failed to turn up for the May 6-8 trials in Hyderabad will not be part of the Indian team for the World Team championship.

While promising shuttler P Kashyap was named as Anand8217;s replacement, Ashwini Ponappa and Aparna Balan will replace Jwala and Shruti. Other players of the 10-member team, selected beforehand, include Anup Sridhar, Rupesh Kumar, Sanave Thomas and V Diju in the men8217;s team while national champion Saina Nehwal, Aditi Mutatkar and Nitya Sosale form the women8217;s team.

Asked if she doesn8217;t rue missing out on the prestigious event, Jwala said: 8220;I don8217;t think it8217;s a loss for me as a player. It8217;s a loss for the country and BAI is responsible for it. For the last seven years, Shruti and I have been unbeaten on the national circuit. No one has ever been able to challenge us. I feel the BAI is purposely targeting us.8221;

National coach Gopichand on his part said: 8220;If we had grudges against them, would they have been part of the European tour or the ABC? Why would BAI give them a second chance to make it to the Sudirman Cup squad?8221;

India are seeded third at the world meet behind France and Australia in Group 3 which also includes hosts Scotland, Canada, USA, Bulgaria and New Zealand. Gopi said it will be a 8220;tough tournament8221; but he is keeping his fingers crossed. 8220;Even when I played, we always remained in Group 3 and this time, too, it8217;s going to be tough. France, Australia and Bulgaria are strong teams, but I8217;m hoping for good results in the men8217;s singles and doubles events. Chances of a good showing in the women8217;s singles event look brighter than before. We should also do well in the mixed doubles category,8221; the former All-England champion said.

In Anand8217;s absence, Sridhar who made it to the semis of the German Open this year will lead India8217;s challenge in singles. Sridhar who missed the camp due to injury will have to undergo a fitness test before the Scotland event. 8220;We will have a fitness test for Anup on either 21st or 24th of this month. He will also be asked to play a few matches against Kashyap and Ajay Jayram,8221; Gopichand said.

The team: Men: Anup Sridhar Singles, P Kashyap Singles, Rupesh Kumar, Sanave Thomas Doubles and V Diju Mixed Doubles. Women: Saina Nehwal Singles, Aditi Mutatkar Singles, Ashwini Ponappa, Aparna Balan Doubles and Nitya Sosale.