India have been thrashed by Denmark in the ongoing Sudirman Cup, as they lost 4-1 in their opening encounter on Monday. PV Sindhu was the lone India warrior as she registered the only victory against Denmark in the singles format while players in all other formats had to suffer defeat.
As soon as the draws were announced, India found themselves in a tough group, which included Denmark and Indonesia, but one had expected them to come up with a better performance in their opening match.
Sindhu was the only standout performer for India, winning her match against Line Kjaersfeldt in straight games, 21-18 and 21-6 with the match lasting for 32 minutes only.
There was an element of class and composure in Sindhu's display on the court against the Dane, who looked helpless in the second game, especially. Sindhu dominated the match, which witnessed some wonderful smashes, net play, some clean smashes and crunch points when required.
But, all the above said skills were absent when the other Indian players took to the court. After India lost in the mixed doubles contest, the male shuttlers were the biggest disappointment as Ajay Jayaram was beaten easily by Viktor Axelsen, who is a superior player. The men's doubles players, Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy lost in straight games as well.
Besides Sindhu's performance, if there was any bright spot for India, it was Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy's women's doubles pair, who might have lost, but they showed some fight against the Danish pair, who won the match.
Now, India will play Indonesia in the doubles contest on Tuesday. If India emerge victorious, they will stay alive in the competition else it is all over for India in the Sudirman Cup. With Indonesia being a strong team, all the players need to stand up and come up with a big fight to keep their hopes alive of reaching the quarterfinals of the Sudirman Cup.
Are you surprised with the Denmark result?
The answer is simple. NO.
If you have been following Indian badminton for quite some time, you will take this loss in your stride. In fact, this is no news as India have never done well in Sudirman Cup, a mixed team event.
Ever since its inception of Sudirman Cup in 1989, India have not won a single medal. There is a good reason for it. If India are to win a medal in such a prestigious event, they need a solid team, which comprises quality doubles players, along with skilled singles stars.
India, from time to time, have produced quality singles players, but it is the doubles contest, which has always pegged back in such kind of competition. Even if both the singles players win their contest, the doubles team (mixed, women's or men's) should win one of their tie to beat a nation.
China have won the competition record ten times. It goes without saying, they have always produced some of the best in both the singles and doubles contest.
India can fight these big guns only when we produce world champions in the doubles contest as well.
