New Delhi: Malaysian badminton legend Rashid Sidek feels that India’s best current bet in the sport, Saina Nehwal, is struggling for form.
Though the world No 8 ended her 15-month title drought by winning the India Grand Prix Gold in January, she failed to make an impact against top players in the subsequent All-England and Swiss Opens, losing in the quarter-finals of both.
“Saina is still struggling with her form,” the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze medallist said. “She has to be completely fit and needs to work more and get stronger physically. Same goes for P V Sindhu. She also needs to improve on her physical fitness and become stronger if they want to compete with the Chinese at the top level.”
At the same time, the two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist is very impressed with the rise of India’s top-ranked man Kidambi Srikanth.
“Srikanth has impressed me most lately,” said Sidek. “He is world No 22, is an attacking player, hits good smashes and has potential. Sourabh Varma is also doing good. He reached the final at the Malaysia Grand Prix Gold on Sunday.
“With R M V Gurusaidutt and Parupalli Kashyap, India has good potential players. It’s good for Indian badminton because now they have a lot more variety than they used to. Most of them are attacking in their style of play.”
In New Delhi as the chief singles coach of the Malaysian contingent participating in the $250,000 India Open, Sidek is unsure of returning as the Delhi Smashers head coach for the second edition of the September 30-October 15 Indian Badminton League (IBL).
“First I’ll have to be released by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM),” said Sidek, who claimed he has yet to receive full payment of his dues from the first edition of IBL. “We have a new president and there have been some changes.”
India will host the Thomas (men’s world team championship) and Uber (women’s) Cups for the first time here on May 18-15, the draw for which was held on Sunday.
Sidek believes that India’s men will find it tougher than the women in the biennial events.
“India has a tough Thomas Cup draw,” said the 1992 Thomas Cup champion. “Playing Malaysia and South Korea will not be easy, but they should sail past Germany in their group. In Uber Cup, with Thailand, Canada and Hong Kong, they should get in the quarter-finals. The presence of Saina and Sindhu will definitely help.”
Changing the topic to Malaysian world No 1 and his protege Lee Chong-wei, Sidek said Lee is aiming for the 2016 Rio Games gold despite rumours of his retirement this year. Lee has played two Olympic finals, losing both to Chinese star Lin Dan.
“His target is the Olympic gold, but it all depends on the body,” Sidek said. “He is 31 years old but hopefully he can keep fit and maintain his level for the next two years. But it will get tougher with the young shuttlers catching up and improving.”
