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As summer hits its peak, the spotlight shifts to Nanning, China, for the prestigious 2019 Sudirman Cup. Between May 19 and 26, India's top badminton talent will go head-to-head with the dominant forces of Asia to prove who truly rules the court. However, with several star players currently struggling with their form, there are serious doubts about whether India can actually make an impact in this tournament.
To start with, India's leading women's players, Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, have struggled to find success this season. A prime example was the recent New Zealand Open, where Saina suffered a surprising first-round exit at the hands of Wang Zhi Yi, who is ranked 212nd in the world.
The trend continued at the Badminton Asian Championships in April, where both Sindhu and Saina were knocked out during the quarterfinals. Although they have been the backbone of Indian badminton for the last four years, the pressure is now on them to rediscover their elite level in the women's singles events.
Representing India in women's doubles are the pairs of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy, as well as Poorvisha S Ram and J Meghana. While these athletes bring plenty of veteran experience to the court, it remains unclear if they can deliver a dominant performance and help lead the national team to victory.
In the men's singles category, world number eight Kidambi Srikanth will be leading the charge. Much like the women's stars, Srikanth has looked shaky lately, with a disappointing showing at the Asia Badminton Championship sparking concerns about his current state. For the Guntur native, a strong run at the Sudirman Cup is essential to rebuild his momentum. Joining him in the singles competition is Hyderabad's Sameer Varma, who is eager to prove his worth on the big stage.
The men's doubles will see the return of the young Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who is coming back from a grueling shoulder injury that sidelined him last year. Partnering with Chirag Shetty, the duo missed the Asian Championships in April, making this tournament the perfect chance for them to find their rhythm and chemistry again.
India has been placed in Group D, a challenging draw that includes heavyweights China and Malaysia. After being eliminated in the quarterfinals back in 2017, India needs a top-two finish in their group to advance to the knockouts. While their recent history against Malaysia—highlighted by a Commonwealth Games win—suggests a competitive edge, trying to take down China will be a much more daunting challenge.
Looking at the roster, India appears strong on paper. However, the real test will be whether the players can shake off their recent slump and deliver the high-level performances their country expects of them.
Written by: Nithin John