I want to win India’s No.1 tag back, says Kashyap

 Sabi Hussain

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 24

Less than a year ago, Parupalli Kashyap was the cynosure of all eyes when he became the first Indian male shuttler to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow.

But things change rapidly after his sparring partner, Kidambi Srikanth, stunned everyone by beating five-time world champion Lin Dan to win the China Open towards the end of 2014.

Since then, Srikanth has become the talking point of Indian badminton, leaving Kashyap behind in ranking and minds of badminton followers. But this new rivalry, the biggest talking point of Indian badminton right now, has taken the game in the country to new heights.

Talking to The Tribune, Kashyap revealed that this rivalry has, in fact, done wonders for the country and all top nations across the world has started taking Indian men presence seriously.

“Yes, it’s good for us. Probably all other countries, including China, are looking at us with more respect. Other teams are scared to play us. The results in recent times can show that top players are fighting hard to win against us,” Kashyap said.

Kashyap said the newly developing rivalry between the two players could be healthy for Indian badminton, but personally speaking for himself, he would like to get his ‘India’s No.1 singles player’ tag back from Srikanth in tournaments to come, starting with the Indian Open Super Series.

“I want to get back to my position. I am happy that Srikanth is doing well, it certainly keeps me pushing harder. I like the No. 1 tag and it really means a lot to me. I had a couple of injuries, and in that time, he did well. I am currently ranked 13, and I want to get higher,” he said.

The 28-year-old Hyderabadi is hoping to carry forward the confidence of winning the Syed Modi tournament in Lucknow to the India Super Series, where he is unseeded. Srikanth, on the other hand, is the second seed.

“Yes, it’s a tough draw. I have to be at my best, it’s important to start the first round with a win. If I would be playing the final on Sunday, I would be really happy.”

Meanwhile, on the first day of the Indian Open, RMV Guru Sai Dutt secured a place in the main draw. Out of the 20 qualifying spots, 14 were grabbed by Indian shuttlers including Sameer Verma, Shlok Ramchandra and Sanyam Shukla.

Guru Sai Dutt defeated Thailand’s Thammasin Sitthikom 16-21, 21-14, 21-10 in a tough second round qualifying match, right after he scored a comfortable 21-14, 21-9 victory over Malaysia’s Sattawat Pongnairat in the first round.