India would look to end doubles’ disappointment

Expectations run high from Indian shuttlers. Since the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, P. V. Sindhu and K. Srikanth have made a mark on the global stage. Saina Nehwal is still around. But the doubles, more often than not, continues to disappoint.

In 2014, India won the men’s singles gold (P. Kashyap) and bronze (K.Srikanth), women’s doubles silver (G. Jwala and Ashwini Ponnappa) and women’s singles bronze (P. V. Sindhu). The biggest disappoint came in the mixed team event, where India drew a blank.

At Gold Coast, India’s best chance for gold is in the women’s singles. This time, Sindhu starts as ‘favourite’ ahead of an unpredictable Saina, the 2010 winner, who withdrew in Glasgow.

Last time, Sindhu suffered losses to eventual singles gold medallist Canada’s Li Michelle, in both team and individual events.

On paper, Sindhu and Saina look way better than the opposition. Once again, Li Michelle and Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour, the reigning singles silver medallist, appear to be the only other serious contenders. The challengers from Malaysia and Singapore may not count for much.

Dark horse

In the men’s singles, two-time former champion Lee Chong Wei will be favourite. Srikanth, in spite of being ranked higher than the Malaysian great, has struggled for form since late last year. For Srikanth, it will be tough to emulate the feat achieved by Kashyap at Glasgow. H. S. Prannoy could well turn out to be the proverbial ‘dark horse’ and make it to the podium.

In paired events, given the unpredictability of the Indian combinations, any medal should be considered a bonus.

In women’s doubles, the Jwala-Ashwini duo won the gold in 2010 and returned as silver medallists in 2014. This time, Ashwini will be seen in the company of N. Sikki Reddy. The pair will have to punch way about their weight to be in the final. They will certainly be among the medal hopefuls.

In mixed doubles, Sikki and Pranav Chopra can fancy their chances of a medal. Ranked 24th in the world, the Indian duo will have to contend with higher-ranked pairs from Hong Kong, England and Malaysia.

In men’s doubles, debutants Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, ranked 20th, stand a better chance of being among the medals, behind the feared Malaysian combinations. Some surprises in the category cannot be ruled out.

Coming to the mixed team event, Malaysia still looks the best bet due to its strong presence in men’s singles, doubles and women’s doubles.

India, clubbed with Scotland, Pakistan and England at the league stage, should make it to the quarterfinals. Thereafter, much depends on the draw. Despite the weakness in doubles, a medal for India looks a distinct possibility.