Uphill but not impossible task for India

Can India make it to the final round of the Thomas Cup, like it did 12 years ago in 1988 at the same venue ? At that time, Prakash Padukone in his twilight years ably supported by Syed Modi, Vimal Kumar in singles and Uday Pawar in doubles had played a pivotal role in seeing India through to the final rounds at the cost of Japan and Thailand in ties which had gone to the wire.

This time around, India’s challenge will be spearheaded by Pullela Gopi Chand (ranked world No 32), who has scored some creditable victories over higher ranked international players over the last one year. Nikhil Kanetkar and Abhinn Shyam Gupta, ranked No 62 and No 83 respectively, have had extensive international exposure in the last couple of years which should prove crucial in team ties like this. Their doubles appears relatively the weaker link. However, they’ll have to bank more on their second doubles in a format comprising three singles and two doubles.

The strong contenders in the race to qualify are China, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong alongwith India. Undoubtedly, it’s a tough challenge, but India have an even chance if they play to potential.

India have Japan, South Korea to be joined by a qualifier in their group, which is likely to be Singapore or Australia. Two teams from this group, to be played on league basis, will move to the semi-final stage, and will be joined by another two from the other group.

In the opening tie, India face Japan whose top singles player is ranked No 27 in the world. The other two singles players are ranked 38 and 92, with two balanced doubles combinations. It thus appears an evenly poised tie and a crucial one.

In India’s next tie against South Korea, they virtually start with a deficit of 0-2, as Korea have two top doubles combinations in the world, ranked No 2 and No 3, in the fold. To win this tie, India must hope to win all the three singles. Undoubtedly an uphill task, but not entirely impossible, as the Korean singles players are strong but beatable.

If India win the third tie against the qualifier, it will be vital for them to win atleast one of the two ties either against Japan or Korea for a chance to make the semis.

From the other group, there appears no doubt about the Chinese topping the group and entering the semi-finals alongwith either Chinse Taipei or Hong Kong. If India reach the semi-finals, they will have to cross the last hurdle of winning one more match to qualify.

In the Uber Cup, India have to first qualify for the main draw, where they will be placed alongwith Australia, Singapore and Sri Lanka in the preliminary rounds. I expect them to move to the next stage, but that is as far as I would expect them to go, with strong teams like South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand in the main draw.