Kerala junior badminton players show great promise

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Einstein was right — Stars emerge with a big bang.

And the theory was proved right in sports when upcoming badminton talents P.V. Sindhu and Pratul Joshi shone with their skilful play at the All India Junior ranking tournament that concluded in Kochi.

Those who witnessed the stars in action said Sindhu could well be India’s next Saina Nehwal, and Pratul, with his killer instinct and never-say-die attitude, an upcoming Lin Dan.

While Sindhu struck triple gold, Pratul retained his title, making him the best junior player in the country.
Sindhu’s father, the Arjuna Award winning volleyball international P.V. Ramana said he couldn’t have asked for anythig better. “Being a father, I cannot be any happier, she has made us proud. People may say she is the next Saina Nehwal, but, we want her to be herself and it is our dream to see her on top of the world,” he said.

It was with such elegance that she performed at the tournament. At just 15, she bagged gold in under-17 and under-19 categories and another one in under-19 doubles.

It required some outrageous play from Rituparna Das and J. Meghana in the under-17 doubles semifinal to deny Sindhu a fourth gold. In the match that had gone down the wire, Sindhu and K. Maneesha lost 24-22, 17-21, 22-20.

Meanwhile, watching the left-handed Pratul in action was like witnessing a fine artiste at work. His feather-touch net game and ferocious cross-court smashes seldom had a counter from the opponents.

“He is a brilliant player who reads his opponents well and plays accordingly. The best thing about him is the killer instinct with which he plays,” said Mr. Vinod, trainer of Pratul at the Tata Padukone Badminton Academy.

Pratul was phenomenal in the boys’ singles. He was hardly tired after the four matches that led to the final and had lost a set only in the crucial battle in the final match, which he eventually won 21-19, 11-21, 10-21.

Kochites will remember these names and someday when these youngsters rise to fame in the international arena, this city will have fond memories of their emergent years.