As the Sudirman Cup begins in China, people have high expectations

Despite India being placed in a tricky group with Malaysia and Chinese Taipei, many believe if the team plays to its potential, it can deliver a medal once again. Before the team left for China, some of the key players, HS Prannoy, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and Lakshya Sen, who is in the reserve, speak with Boria Majumdar about their preparations, the pressure of representing India and more. Excerpts

You had a really good last year. Starting with the Thomas Cup win, you have repeatedly beaten higher ranked players and now you have achieved your highest ever ranking. With the Sudirman Cup, it’s the start of the Olympic cycle and a very important phase for Indian badminton. How is your fitness, preparation and how are you looking at the challenges ahead?

Prannoy: The Thomas Cup win will always be one of the greatest moments of my career and for all of us as a team. No one had thought that we could win. No one had given us a chance. And that win has made everyone hopeful about the Sudirman Cup. We are a confident team and capable of doing well if we play to potential. Personally speaking, I have won some great matches and need to carry on going forward. In the Sudirman Cup we are playing as India. And that’s what matters to any athlete. When you play for your country and win, nothing can be better than that. After the Thomas Cup win, we know what we are capable of.

Making it to the world No. 7 ranking, India’s best men’s singles player — it must be a great feeling because you have gone through a lot in the last few years with multiple injuries and more.

Prannoy: That’s where I credit Gopi sir (Pullela Gopichand) and the team. Once I got back to working with Gopi sir, the idea was always to be the best player I can be. Gopi sir has never pushed me for results. He has always pushed me to train better. He knows results will come if the training is according to plan and the process is right. In a long career you are bound to lose out on some tournaments because of injury. That’s par for the course. What is important is I have been able to come back from it all and do something tangible. Victories against higher ranked opponents, multiple semi-finals are proof that I can do it at the highest level.

Winning the Asia Championships was special. You both (Satwik and Chirag) were able to come back from tough situations multiple times. Game and 8-13 down in the final, it was a special comeback. How are you both looking at the Sudirman Cup? For this time round there are a lot more expectations with the Thomas Cup win still fresh in people’s memory? Satwik: I find it hard to believe we have been able to win these many tournaments. I have said this before that the Thomas Cup win still seems unreal. To win one of the biggest tournaments for your country is special. And that’s what makes the Sudirman Cup more important. It is not Satwik and Chirag who will play in China. It is India that will play. For an athlete there is nothing more special than this and we are confident we can do well despite ours being a difficult group with Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.

Do you both enjoy the growing interest, the media glare and the fact that fans are continuously speaking about the Sudirman Cup? Or does it feel like you have more pressure now?

Chirag: People do recognise us these days. They ask for selfies and autographs. I must admit that it feels good. You feel proud that you have been able to do something for your country. In India, people remember the big events. And here the term big event is relative. The Asian Games or the Olympics will always be more important than a Super Series 1000 in India. However many Super Series you win, it is the Asian Games or the Olympics or the Thomas Cup that people remember. It is a reality and we are conscious of it. We want to win these events for India and want to do well in the Sudirman Cup and then the Asian Games. That’s when more and more people will start following the sport and that’s how we will improve as a collective. If we see Neeraj Chopra, for example, many more have now taken to javelin since he won the Olympic gold. That’s what we need more in our country.

You decided to take a break and mentioned the all-important issue of mental health. Are you feeling better now. Did the break help?

Lakshya: Yes, it helped. When you are playing one tournament after another and pushing your body and mind continuously you don’t really know when to stop. It was a hard call to take. At the same time, it was much needed. I could sit back and take stock and now I feel much better. It is important to also take a step back and reassess and that’s what I did.

A big year is coming up for you with the start of the Olympic qualifiers. Thoughts?

Lakshya: I would want to do my best. Playing at the Olympics is a dream for every player. It isn’t easy but then elite sport is never easy. You need to be at your best physically and mentally and work the hardest to get the desired results. I am confident I will be able to do so and make it to Paris.