Gopichand hopeful of a good show by Indian shuttlers

Noting that the Indian squad for the upcoming Badminton Asia Team championship is a combination of experience and youth, chief national coach Pullela Gopichand today exuded confidence that the shuttlers would come up with a spirited performance.
"Definitely, she (Saina Nehwal) is a very strong player. We have a strong (women's) team in Saina, Sindhu, Jwala, Ashwini, Ruthwika (Shivani), Sikki (Reddy), Manisha and we hope to do well," he told reporters here ahead of the week-long tournament that starts on February 15.
He said there has been no official confirmation from Saina, who could not play in the ongoing 12th South Asia Games due to an injury.

"As of now, I don't have any official withdrawal from her (Saina)," he said.
Replying to a query, he said the young players will have to take charge if Saina does not play in the tournament.
"I think the youngsters will have to take charge. It is also good that we have experience on our side in terms of Jwala being there and Ashwini being there. I am hoping that we do well," he said.

The Indians have performed well in the last few years in team events which they did not win before, Gopichand said.
On men's singles, he said Parupalli Kashyap, who too could not play in the South Asian Games due to fitness issues, figures in the list of players, though he would bet on Kidambi Srikanth, Ajay Jayaram and (HS) Prannoy for the Badminton Asia Championship.

"He (Kashyap) is there. But, as far as I am concerned, Srikanth, Ajay and Prannoy would be my first three bets for singles," Gopichand said. Kashyap has been struggling on his fitness front for several weeks now.
Srikanth, Ajay and Prannoy have been doing well, though the opposition cannot be taken for granted, he said.
"Srikanth has been a great performer. Same is the case with Ajay and Prannoy. They have done well. The opposition is also not something weak. I cannot really boast and say we are a top team and something," he said.
When pointed out that top shuttlers like Lin Dan from China would be absent from the event, he said grit and determination matters in team events.

"We look a strong team. But, at the end of the day, team matches are about the grit and the hard pitch you have. I am hoping that our players will give an inspired performance," he said.
Indian men face a tough challenge, grouped with top seed China and Singapore, while the women's team has an easier grouping, being clubbed with Japan and Singapore in the championship to be held at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium here.