New Delhi: Indian badminton is experiencing a golden period and the reason behind the spiralling success is the zeal of young players to experiment with new techniques, feels World Number 22 Tian Houwei.
"Indian players earlier had no technique. But now things have changed. The young players are coming up with different techniques, they are taking badminton one step ahead," Tian, a former World No 6, said.
The 25-year-old from China, who had clinched the silver at the All England Championship last year, believes focus on fitness also helped a turn around in fortune for India in the sport. "A lot of new players are emerging from India who are playing very good matches. Every time they get down to play they pay attention to their fitness," he said.
"They learn something new from each game and work on it. They change their weakness into strengths." Asked about the decline of China's dominance in world badminton, Tian said it is just a phase.
"It is very normal. Like in India there is cricket, which is the most popular game. The players who practice more win more tournaments and thus India is dominant in cricket," said the 2014 Asian Games silver medallist.
"It's the same in badminton, players from other countries are praticing more than before. They are coming up with better games. So it is normal for other countries to focus on the game we do well. We can't expect China to remain dominant always."
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) had received a lot of flak after it made it mandatory for top shuttlers to play at least 12 tournaments in a revamped schedule for 2018.
Tian said there is no point talking about it.
"I haven't given it much thought. Yes, it is hectic but we have no option but to play," said the 2009 World Junior Champion.