Indian shuttlers eye top positions at World Championships
The 2017 BWF World Badminton Championships starts from 21st August at Emirates Arena in Glasgow. India have sent a 21-member contingent to the tournament and will be eyeing top positions on the podium. Indian fans have high hopes with Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Srikanth Kidambi and Sameer Verma. Let us have a look at the prospective medal winners for the country.
India's history at the World Championships
India have won five medals at World Championships since the first edition in 1977. Prakash Padukone won the first medal (bronze) in men's singles in 1983. Post that India had a long dry spell which ended in 2011 when Ashwini Ponnappa and Jwala Gutta won the bronze in women's doubles. Sindhu won bronze medals in 2013 and 2014, while Saina won silver in 2015.
High hopes on Kidambi
Srikanth Kidambi will lead India's campaign in men's singles event. The world number-eight is India's hope to end medal drought in the category. World number 19, Sai Praneeth is also being considered a medal winner for India. However, he may have to face five-time world champion Lin Dan in the third round. Ajay Jayaram and Sameer Verma are other two participants in this category.
PV Sindhu to lead India's campaign
2016 Rio Olympic silver medal winner PV Sindhu will lead India's charge in the women's singles category. The two-time bronze medallist, Sindhu said that she wants to upgrade the color of the medal at Glasgow this time. Saina Nehwal will look to put aside her fitness rumors and can be a potential medal winner for India.
Ashwini Ponnappa eyes a medal
Ashwini Ponnappa will partner with N Sikki Reddy to lead India in women's doubles event, and will play alongside Sumeeth Reddy in mixed doubles. Having won silver medal at Glasgow Commonwealth Games with Jwala Gutta, she has high hopes of finishing on the podium.
