Badminton: How a shy Kidambi Srikanth is shuttling to the top
Kidambi Srikanth gives the feeling that he simply wants to run away from the flashbulbs. Shy and unassuming, he possesses a demeanour that could be easily lost in the crowd. That is, perhaps, how the Guntur lad likes it to be; to be left in his own space to spawn his dreams. His phenomenal exploits on the badminton court, however, will not leave him be. Nothing fastens on one like fame. Srikanth is not complaining. He is fast getting used to the spotlight as he grows in stature, taking Indian badminton to new heights.
Put him on badminton court, the introvert and withdrawn boy suddenly becomes a roaring lion. Full of infectious energy, he does not prefer to concede an inch to his opponents. He has that rare mental toughness with which only a few are blessed. Bigger the stage, bigger is his appetite to conquer.
Already a world number four, he boasts of the rare feat of beating Lin Dan - a name in world badminton which sends shivers down the spine of many. Taming "Super Dan" in the final of China Open in November was as improbable as beating Roger Federer in the Wimbledon or Rafael Nadal in the French Open. Two-time defending Olympic champion, Lin Dan has won the China Open and world championships five times each. Arguably the best player of all-time, Lin Dan has inspired many wide-eyed teenagers to take up the game with his unbelievable power and magic on court. As a gawky teen, Srikanth, sitting in the far corner of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, hoped to emulate him some day. His feat, though, was celebrated by few. Perhaps, history will do him justice. At 22, he can surely expect to have many such moments adorning his career.
Last week, Srikanth had another high point in his fledgling career when he raced to his fourth international title at Basel-the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold. Like his previous achievements, this too, got drowned in the cacophony surrounding a game called cricket in India.
Srikanth's talent has been the talking point in badminton circles for some time and the rapidity with which he has brought results has left even his mentor and coach Pullela Gopichand pleasantly surprised. He has also his elder brother K Nandagopal to thank. It was Nandagopal who first found a liking to badminton, that too by shunning cricket after attending the camps. Srikanth followed on his footsteps and joined Nandagopal in the Gopichand academy in Hyderabad in 2009.
The former All England champion noticed the spark in Srikanth who used to play doubles then. The talent in Srikanth thus got wings when Gopichand asked him to switch to singles. Life was never the same, thereafter.
Srikanth was the junior most among the pack of youngsters who honed their skills under their beloved "Gopi" sir. The likes of Parupalli Kashyap, HS Prannoy, RMV Gurusaidutt, Sai Praneeth and Srikanth shared a common dream. Saina Nehwal had already shown them the way while Sindhu was fast catching up, learning their traits in the same academy. It was now their male counterparts who were in search of that big international breakthrough.
Not surprisingly, the youngest of them Srikanth led the way with the Thailand Open GP title in 2013. The same day Srikanth's brother Nandagopal won mixed doubles title in Maldives International to double the joy for the Kidambi family.
Come next week and Srikanth will be raring to play at the India Open Super Series in Delhi and attempt to become the first home boy to win the event. The final is scheduled on March 29, and I fear, if Srikanth reaches thus far, his achievement may again get drowned in the cricket-obsessed nation. Why? Well, the same day Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys may also play the World Cup final at the MCG. Good luck Men in Blue! Good luck Srikanth!