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Priorities have been made clear. For the Thomas Cup Finals, India will go all in to try and defend their historic title from 2022. For Uber Cup Finals, where chances of progress beyond the group stage into the podium places is difficult, the big guns will be rested to keep their powder dry for Paris.
Going in as defending world champions, India have named a strong squad for Thomas Cup from April 27 – May 5, while PV Sindhu and the country’s top two women’s doubles pairs have not been named in the Uber Cup squad that was named by the Badminton Association of India on Wednesday.
HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen – both on their way to Paris to represent India in men’s singles – as well as men’s doubles world No 1 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lead India’s charge in Chengdu, China. The big question in the Thomas Cup squad was whether India would go for backup third doubles option or pick additional singles players. Srikanth Kidambi went unbeaten in Bangkok as the leader of the group last time around, and despite his rollercoaster season so far, has expectedly made the cut.
Priyanshu Rajawat was already part of the 2022 title-winning squad, gaining valuable experiences but this time around, he could push Srikanth and make a strong case to be picked as the third singles player in the 5-match ties. Between Srikanth and Priyanshu, India have a strong third singles option either way. Kiran George is the back-up.
While in 2022, India went doubles heavy, this time they have stuck to just two main pairs. Dhruv Kapila and MR Arjun have had mixed results, due to form as well as injuries in the last year or so, but have hit some form just in time. Sai Pratheek has been picked as a backup doubles option.
Priyanshu Rajawat was already part of the 2022 title-winning squad, gaining valuable experiences but this time around, he could push Srikanth and make a strong case to be picked as the third singles player in the 5-match ties. (File)
The BAI press release said that it felt that it was important to have an additional singles player in the squad as most of the top players have gone through the rigours of the Paris Olympic qualification phase in the run-up to Thomas Cup. The tournament begins just after the end of the Race to Paris window, and won’t have any bearing on qualification for Paris.
The final decision on the Thomas Cup squad was taken after an online meeting of the selection committee that comprises Chief National coach Pulella Gopichand as well as U Vimal Kumar, Jwala Gutta, Manjusha Kanwar, Partho Ganguly and Mallika Baruah Sarma. “In doubles, the selectors have picked top two pairs and Sai Pratheek is selected as an additional doubles player after consultation with Mathias Boe (Danish doubles coach) just in case somebody is not fully fit or needs recovery,” BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said.
For the Uber Cup, there might have been a temptation to see if India can follow up their fine win at the Badminton Asia Championships in Malaysia earlier this year. The Sindhu-led squad, with impressive performances from teenager Anmol Kharb, surprised stronger teams to clinch a historic title. But some of the powerhouses fielded their backup sides. At the Uber Cup, the chances of repeating such a run would’ve been difficult, so the decision to rest tired legs makes sense.
In Sindhu’s absence, Ashmita Chaliha will lead the way with national champion Anmol getting another chance to test herself at the highest level in the 8-member squad. Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa are currently in a position to qualify for Paris as the solitary Indian representatives in women’s doubles.
“Sindhu informed the selectors that due to back-to-back tournaments leading up to the Olympics, she and her team have decided to skip the Uber Cup to prepare for the Olympics Top doubles pairs also cited similar reasons and, since it is not a full-strength team, they also pulled out. The selectors then decided to go ahead with young players who have done well recently at the National Championships,” the BAI statement said.
The Indian men’s team had created history two years ago in Thailand when they defeated formidable Indonesia 3-0 in the final to clinch their first-ever Thomas Cup crown. They will be pitted against Indonesia right away, after being drawn in the same group. The champions India and most successful side of the tournament Indonesia were drawn together in Group C, alongside Thailand and England. Top two teams will qualify for the last eight, and it is worth noting though that India did manage to go all the way last time despite not topping their group.
The young Uber Cup squad will have their task cut to qualify out of the group, as they have to contend with the competition’s most successful side as well in China. Canada and Singapore are the other two teams in the group. If national champs Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam can step up along with Ashmita and Anmol, there could be a chance to progress into the last 8.
Teenagers Isharani Baruah and Tanvi Sharma are the other two singles players, while Simran Singhi and Ritika Thakkar have been on the circuit fair few years.
Thomas Cup squad:
(Singles) HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, Priyanshu Rajawat and Kiran George
(Doubles) Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, MR Arjun, Dhruv Kapila and Sai Pratheek
Uber Cup squad:
(Singles) Anmol Kharb, Tanvi Sharma, Ashmita Chaliha and Isharani Baruah
(Doubles) Shruti Mishra, Priya Konjengbam, Simran Singhi and Ritika Thaker
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