Tokyo, Aug 21: With the injured PV Sindhu missing out for the first time in a decade, the onus will be on young Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy to spearhead India’s challenge in the BWF World Championships, starting here from Monday.
With five medals, including the gold in 2019, Sindhu is a colossal figure in the BWF’s most prestigious and competitive tournament, but an ankle injury en route to a maiden Commonwealth Games title triumph dashed her hopes of travelling to the Japanese capital.
This left the task of continuing India’s impressive run in the tournament on the young shoulders of Lakshya, and the experienced duo of Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth. The country has not returned empty-handed from the Worlds since the 2011 edition.
At the same time, the expectations from the Indian male shuttlers will also be high, given their exploits in recent months.
Brimming with confidence following his CWG gold on debut, Lakshya has been on a sensational run this season, and will go into the top event as one of the favourites.
The 20-year-old, who was left crestfallen after not being able to go the distance in Spain, will look to complete his unfinished business when he opens against Danish veteran Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus.
Lakshya’s stocks have been rising ever since he returned from Huelva in December as he won a maiden Super 500 title at India Open, finished with a silver at All England Championships, before joining hands with Srikanth and Prannoy to earn India its maiden Thomas Cup win in May.
However, the trio will turn foe this week after being clubbed in the same quarter.
In fact Lakshya, seeded ninth, might clash with Prannoy in the third round if the senior pro manages to get past former world number one and second seed Momota in the second round.
Prannoy has been one of the most consistent players in the circuit, with a run of quarterfinals, three semifinals and a runners-up finish this season, and he would be itching to continue his impressive run.
The 30-year-old Indian is known for his giant-killing exploits and comes into the event after twin wins over world No. 4 Chou Tien Chen recently, and will fancy his chances against Momota, who hasn’t looked the same player since his car accident two years ago.
Srikanth, 12th seed, was simply sensational in Bangkok and it was his unbeaten run which played a huge role in India’s Thomas Cup win, but the former world No. 1’s confidence took a beating after he lost twice to upcoming Malaysian Ng Tze Yong at the Birmingham CWG. He, however, recovered to return with a bronze from the Commonwealth Games. (PTI)
