We should win a medal in all five events: Kashyap
30 March 2018 5:49 PM GMT
new delhi: The excitement was palpable in his voice as reigning men's singles champion Parupalli Kashyap predicted the Indian badminton team's best-ever haul, including a medal in each event, at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Four years ago, Kashyap had broken a 32-year-old record when he won India's third men's singles gold at CWG, emulating Prakash Padukone (1978) and Syed Modi (1982).
His exploits helped India bring home four medals from the discipline at the Glasgow Games -- one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Since that day when he stood with the tri-colour draping him, Kashyap's life took a massive turn as multiple injuries, including a calf muscle tear and a knee surgery coupled with poor form, saw his ranking dip and he eventually missed the bus for the Gold Coast Games.
"I would have loved to play again but if I were the team selectors, I wouldn't put myself in the team because Prannoy and Srikanth have done exceptionally well," the former world number 6 said.
"We have a good team and if we can play to our potential, best possible scenario we should win a medal in all five categories, so more than four medals for sure."
Top seed India have been drawn with minnows Pakistan, Scotland and Sri Lanka in Group A of the Games, which will be held from April 4 to 15.
"We are top seeded this time and it would boil down to who we play in semifinals. England have decent men and mixed doubles and there is Rajiv Ouseph in singles, but I feel advantage is with India as HS Prannoy and K Srikanth can beat him even though Rajiv generally plays better in such situation."PTI
Next Story
