Unnati Hooda, new kid on the block
Going by the looks, game and temperament, 14-year old Unnati Hooda reminds one of Saina Nehwal of the early 2000s. Much like Saina, Unnati, hailing from Haryana, arrived on the national scene, sporting short hair, armed with tremendous grit and blessed with a never-say-die attitude on the court.
The Badminton Association of India selection committee’s decision to include the teenager in the national team for the Uber Cup and the Asian Games also resulted in slamming the door on Saina for the first time in nearly two decades. In short, the arrival of Unnati has coincided with the exit of Saina from the national team.
“Unnati is a tremendous talent whose game needs to be honed,” says four-time former National champion Manjusha Kanwar, one of the selectors. “In my view, she is a fine retriever and combines it with strong staying power on the court. Her will to fight reminds me of Saina. She tries very hard and that is visible to all. These are great attributes to have in an upcoming player.”
The selection to the national team should see a few leading badminton academies approach Unnati with attractive offers. After all, true to her name, Unnati is a work in progress.