Sindhu & Sen eye good show
● Saina has decided to skip citing workload management while Prannoy, who played a key role in India’s historic triumph in the Thomas Cup last month, also pulled out to focus on next four events on the Tour.
Jakarta, June 6: Star badminton couple Saina Nehwal and Parupalli Kashyap, along with India’s recent Thomas Cup hero H.S. Prannoy, made late pullouts from the Indonesian Open Super Series 500 event beginning here on Tuesday.
India’s first Olympic medal-winning shuttler Saina has decided to skip citing workload management, while Kashyap is yet to regain fitness after recovering from an hamstring injury.
“I had injured my hamstring just before the selection trials and that took seven weeks to heal, then I had an ankle issue,” Kashyap said.
“I am fine now. But I need to get my fitness back. Hope to play a few of the next four events.
“Saina withdrew because there are so many tournaments so she thought it is better if she plays next week and skips this one. She is fine,” Kashyap added.
Prannoy, who played a key role in India’s historic triumph in the Thomas Cup last month, also pulled out to focus on next four events on the Tour.
The men’s team touched a new high with its Thomas Cup exploits where India defeated 14-time champions Indonesia to win its first ever title.
But the Indian flavour will be missing in the men’s section after the withdrawals of Srikkanth, Kashyap and Prannoy.
Srikkanth had earlier withdrawn and the topranked Indian shuttler and world championship bronze medallist Lakshya Sen will carry India’s hope in the men’s singles.
The men’s singles draw features a second Indian in Sameer Verma who faces a qualifier to open his campaign.
In their absence, Sen and PV Sindhu would be in focus as they look to hit top gear in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games, starting July 28.
World number nine Sen, seeded seventh, will take on Denmark’s HansKristian Solberg Vittinghus in a tricky opening round clash.
The top-ranked Indian has a 0-2 head-to-head record against Kristian.