Gopi, Kanetkar give reason for optimism

Led by Pullela Gopi Chand, the Indian Thomas Cup team cannot ask for more. The line-up has players who can give the top players of other nations enough headaches. Seldom in the history of Indian badminton, did we have such an array of players performing almost on equal footing in singles.

The doubles, which was once India’s Achilles’ heel, has gained in strength considerably. Add to that the exposure the players are provided with. All these, plus the home advantage, are pointers to the upbeat mood prevailing in the Indian camp.

At the same time, they are not being complacent. It speaks volumes for the players, some of whom have played the best in business around the globe, including the world champion Sun Jun of China and World No 2 Fung Permadi (Chinese Taipei). Placed in a comparatively easy group with South Korea and Japan, India will have to play well to top their group and avoid meeting China in the semi-finals.

China, with their all-star singles team, and Korea with their all-powerful doubles squads, start as the favourites to claim three of the two spots. India will have to tread with caution against Taipei and Japan, the other contenders for the last spot from Asia.

Though Japan and Korea have good players, India look stronger in singles with Gopi Chand, Nikhil Kanetkar and Ahbinn Shyam Gupta at their peak. The three will also have to do well in order to overcome a stiff doubles combine from Japan.

In contrast, the women’s section, with youngsters around, looks weak. Even the coaches admit that. But all of them, including spearhead Aparna Popat, give them a chance to atleast make it to the semi-final round. “We are hopeful of making it to semis. After that it would really be an uphill task,” said Uday Pawar, the women’s coach.

Reduced to a four-team affair, India’s group in the preliminary round has Australia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. In fact, this comes as boon and the job for Indian women should be that much easier for they have to grab one of the two Super League berths with Singapore, another strong contender. The hosts take on Singapore in their opening game on Sunday.

“A win against Singapore should lift our morale,” said Pawar.

“Once the pressure is off, we will take each team as it comes. Our job will be difficult against teams like Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand. But all the girls are playing well and I am confident of a good show,” agreed Popat.

Among the women, Indonesia, the top seed, are the favourites while Japan, with Asian Games gold medallist Yonekura, Korea, led by Ra Kyu Min, and Chinese Taipei will be the other strong contenders for the three qualifying berths.

The New Delhi finalists will join three teams each from the qualifiers being held at Sofia (Bulgaria) around the same time, Malaysia and Thomas Cup defending champions Indonesia and Uber Cup holders China.