PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidmabi Srikanth Chase Elusive Title

All eyes will be on in-type shuttler Lakshya Sen, double Olympic medallist P V Sindhu and World Championships silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth as they look to crack India’s 21-12 months title drought at the All England Championships, which begins in Birmingham, England on Wednesday. (More Badminton Information)

The best Indian players, which include Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Srikanth have failed to elevate the prestigious trophy with Pullela Gopichand (2001) and Prakash Padukone (1980) continue to remaining the only two Indians to declare the coveted title.

When Saina had appear shut by reaching the finals in 2015, it remained elusive for Sindhu, who has normally claimed medals in all other massive-ticket situations this sort of as Olympics, Earth Championships, Commonwealth Video games and Asian Game titles.

While Sindhu, seeded sixth, will once yet again be in the reckoning, it will be unseeded Sen who will be in focus this time, offered the variety of construct-up the 20-calendar year-aged experienced ahead of the Tremendous 1000 party.

Sen has been in sensational variety for the final 6 months as he included a runners-up finish at the German Open up past week, subsequent his title-winning operate at India Open and his bronze medal feat at the Environment Championships in December final yr.

The Almora shuttler will be the cynosure of all eyes as he measures on to the courtroom from compatriot Sourabh Verma in the opening round.

Sindhu, on the other hand, exited in the second round at the German Open following a shock defeat to a reduced-rated Zhang Yi Gentleman of China and would glimpse to quickly recuperate from the loss when she opens her marketing campaign towards a difficult world no 17 Chinese Wang Zhi Yi. 

The 2019 entire world winner shuttler may deal with Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi in the quarterfinals if she can get previous her to start with-spherical opponent and cross second round, where she is possible to experience Japan’s Sayaka Takahashi.

Saina, who struggled versus Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon at German Open, will deal with a big obstacle when she opens towards another one more Thai participant and entire world no 10 Pornpawee Chochuwong.

Previous globe no 1 Srikanth much too has appeared in great contact but he has not been equipped to go the length in close matches and that would be superior on his agenda when he opens against Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen.

A clash with fifth seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting also could be on the playing cards if he crosses the opening hurdle. 

For Tokyo Olympian B Sai Pranneth, nothing at all seems to have absent ideal in the final 6 months as he struggled with his conditioning and performance. 

Having recovered from COVID-19, the Indian will be eager to make a favourable begin to the new year but it would be much easier mentioned than performed as he faces Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in the opening round. 

Between others, Sameer Verma could be a dark horse as he appeared in great contact in the couple situations he had played right before a calf injury ruled him out past calendar year. He will start out his campaign towards Dutch Mark Caljouw.

On a comeback trail, HS Prannoy will sq. off towards the supremely gifted Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.

In men’s doubles, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will look to continue the momentum right after their title run at India Open in January. 

The duo has been pitted from Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Corridor in the very first spherical and could facial area earth no 1 Kevin Sukamuljo and Marcus Gideon in the quarterfinals.

Dhruv Kapila and MR Arjun will encounter an uphill activity as they cross swords with planet no 2 pair of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan in the 1st round.

In women’s doubles, Commonwealth Games bronze winners Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy will meet Japan’s Kie Nakanishi and Rin Iwanaga in the initially round.