Bakshi, Diju impressive — Coach Babu

When asked about the overall performance of the team, he said most of the players gave their best in singles, “But in doubles, we need to work more on combinations and co-ordination,” he added.

Says Babu, “Air India’s Abhishek Bakshi and Kerala’s Diju will go a along way, provided they work conscientiously on their deficiencies. Bakshi and Diju, in the fortnight-long European tour, stood out with their performances. They not only swiftly adapted themselves to the conditions, but also exhibited a fine all-round show.”

Gangling Bakshi’s dream run in both Dutch and German Opens was halted by Indonesian Ardiyansyah. In both encounters, Bakshi fought gallantly but lacked acceleration at crucial junctures. “To score victories over seasoned shuttlers like Ardiyansyah, he has to fine-tune his side-way movements and endurance. Since he stands over six-feet, he should adjust deftly to the bodyline attack and should be more precise at net play.”

LACK OF FITNESS: While praising Diju’s efforts, Bhaskar Babu said the Kerala shuttler’s stiffened muscles proved costly preventing him from advancing in both the tournaments. “Both against China’s Chunauai (Dutch Open) and Indonesia’s Hagianto (German Open), he successfully gained the whip-hand by winning the first games, but his fitness proved to be his Achilles Heel.”

“Pallav Deka’s woes are similar to that of Diju. Though he is blessed with good court coverage, his handicap is his fitness level. His stunning of the Germans in both tournaments notwithstanding, his withering fitness made way for his meek surrender.”

Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of other members of the team, Bhaskar Babu said Karnataka’s Anup Sridhar, Vizag’s SDS Krishna and Tanmoy Nandi needed more such exposure trips and should they cultivate the habit of `never-say-die’ attitude.

“Though Pridhvi topped his group convincingly by beating players from the Netherlands and Ukraine in Dutch Open, he messed up winning chances against Korea’s Jae Sung Chun in German Open, after drawing level one-all. He needs to push up his confidence level when playing quality players and must improve his movements especially on Hova courts,” feels Babu.

Drawing attention on Maharashtra’s Trupti Murgunde, Babu felt she needs to pack more power into her strokes. “This trip was good for Trupti as she topped her pool in the Dutch Open and bowed out in pre-quarterfinals to a Chinese player. She ousted tournaments third seed Ching Wangman of Hong Kong and along with Tanmoy, she stretched Jong Boon Leu and Naraekim of Korea in doubles.”

“No doubt, the Indian badminton is improving by leaps and bounds. The exposure trips in different terrains should continue which will do a whale of good to the character of one’s game. My suggestion to the authorities is to rope in players from sub-junior categories and should combine more tournaments whenever the team goes on a European circuit,” Babu said before signing off.