India to compete at Asia Mixed Team C’ship without Saina, Sindhu

Initially named in the squad, Saina and Sindhu decided to skip the tournament to prepare for the upcoming hectic international schedule which includes next month's All England Championship.

Published : Feb 13, 2017 15:50 IST

In the absence of Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu, Tanvi Lad and newly-crowned National Champion Rituparna Das (above) will spearhead the challenge in the women's singles
In the absence of Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu, Tanvi Lad and newly-crowned National Champion Rituparna Das (above) will spearhead the challenge in the women's singles
lightbox-info

In the absence of Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu, Tanvi Lad and newly-crowned National Champion Rituparna Das (above) will spearhead the challenge in the women's singles

Ho Chin Minh: India will be without the services of ace women's singles shuttlers Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu and the onus will be on the men's singles and doubles pairs to lead the country's challenge at the inaugural Asia Mixed Team Championship, starting here on Tuesday.

Initially named in the squad, Saina and Sindhu decided to skip the tournament to prepare for the upcoming hectic international schedule which includes next month's All England Championship.

In the absence of Saina and Sindhu, Tanvi Lad and newly-crowned National Champion and Polish open winner Rituparna Das will spearhead the challenge in the women's singles, while the onus in men's singles will be on H. S. Prannoy and Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold winner Sameer Verma.

"The absence of Saina and Sindhu will obviously effect our chances but I think it's a great chance for the youngsters to prove themselves," Prannoy, the Swiss Open champion, told PTI.

"I have been doing pretty okay, I guess. Nothing new as in preparation but I think I should be good when matches starts," said the World No. 24 Indian, who made early exits at Syed Modi International and National Championship.

With the ties including three doubles matches, India's fate will depend on the mixed pair of Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N. Sikki Reddy, who won the Syed Modi title last month, men's combination of B. Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri as well as the newly-formed women's pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki.

India has been clubbed in Group D along with Korea and Singapore in the tournament which will also have Asian powerhouses such as China, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.

"We have a good chance against Singapore but Korea looks a bit tough though. But I guess we should win against Singapore and try to qualify for quarters," Prannoy said.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment