Introduction
Badminton legend Prakash Padukone has high hopes for India’s badminton squad at the Paris Olympic 2024 Match. He believes that India has a strong chance of winning three medals, including a historic third consecutive Olympic medal for PV Sindhu. Padukone shared his thoughts on the Indian players’ preparations and potential in a recent interview.
Sindhu’s Preparation and Potential
Sindhu’s Form and Training
PV Sindhu, a double Olympic medallist, is one of India’s top medal prospects. According to Padukone, Sindhu has been working incredibly hard and is well-prepared for the Olympics. Despite facing challenges over the past year, including frequent coaching changes, Sindhu has shown significant improvement in her game.
Padukone said, “She has worked incredibly hard for that. Her preparations have gone well, and she is playing well in practice sessions. So, in terms of preparations, everything has been very good.”
Focus on Tactics and Mental Strength
Padukone, who mentors Sindhu, has been focusing on enhancing her tactics and mental strength. He explained, “I am focusing on tactics and strategy on the court, on what strokes to use when, and a little to do with the mind. We’ve worked on her mental strength and strategy, ensuring she makes better use of the right strokes.”
Despite not winning any titles this year, Padukone believes Sindhu’s ability to perform under pressure will be an asset. “She has not been at her best recently, this might reduce the pressure on her. Expectations are lower, and even reaching the quarterfinals will be seen positively,” he said.
Men’s Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
Consistent Performance
The men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty is another strong medal contender. Padukone praised their consistent performance and their ability to beat top players. He highlighted their good draw in the tournament as an advantage.
Padukone’s Confidence
“We have a chance in all three events: men’s singles, women’s singles and men’s doubles. The men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have been very consistent and have beaten top players. They also have a fairly good draw,” Padukone noted.
Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy
Lakshya Sen’s Prospects
Lakshya Sen, participating in his first Olympic 2024 Match, is also seen as a medal prospect. Despite being in a tough group, Sen has previously beaten his group opponents, which boosts his chances. Padukone advised Sen to treat the Olympics like any other tournament to manage the pressure effectively.
HS Prannoy’s Potential
HS Prannoy, although not in his best form, could benefit from lower expectations. Padukone believes that sometimes less pressure can lead to peak performance. “HS Prannoy has not been in the best form, but sometimes it could be a blessing in disguise as there is little weight of expectations and you might reach the peak now,” he said.
Women’s Doubles: Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto
Challenging Draw
Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto in the women’s doubles face a challenging draw. While Padukone acknowledges the difficulty, he remains hopeful about their chances. “Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto in women’s doubles have a challenging draw, but if they can qualify further, that will be icing on the cake,” he concluded.
Conclusion
Prakash Padukone’s optimism for India’s badminton squad at the Olympic 2024 Match is based on the players’ hard work, preparation, and past performances. With strong contenders in men’s doubles, women’s singles, and men’s singles, India has a solid chance of securing medals. The badminton matches at the Paris Olympics will begin on Saturday, July 27, and fans eagerly await the performance of their favorite players. Stay updated with the latest Olympic 2024 News from IPL365.
