BAI-BAI the ‘rebels’

National men’s champion Chetan Anand and national women’s doubles champions Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien were today dropped from the squad for the prestigious Sudirman Cup to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from June 10-17.

National men’s champion Chetan Anand and national women’s doubles champions Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien were today dropped from the squad for the prestigious Sudirman Cup to be held in Glasgow, Scotland from June 10-17. The BAI selection committee which met in Mumbai decided that the shuttler trio who failed to turn up for the May 6-8 trials in Hyderabad will not be part of the Indian team for the World Team championship.

While promising shuttler P Kashyap was named as Anand’s replacement, Ashwini Ponappa and Aparna Balan will replace Jwala and Shruti. Other players of the 10-member team, selected beforehand, include Anup Sridhar, Rupesh Kumar, Sanave Thomas and V Diju in the men’s team while national champion Saina Nehwal, Aditi Mutatkar and Nitya Sosale form the women’s team.

Asked if she doesn’t rue missing out on the prestigious event, Jwala said: “I don’t think it’s a loss for me as a player. It’s a loss for the country and BAI is responsible for it. For the last seven years, Shruti and I have been unbeaten on the national circuit. No one has ever been able to challenge us. I feel the BAI is purposely targeting us.”

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National coach Gopichand on his part said: “If we had grudges against them, would they have been part of the European tour or the ABC? Why would BAI give them a second chance to make it to the Sudirman Cup squad?”

India are seeded third at the world meet behind France and Australia in Group 3 which also includes hosts Scotland, Canada, USA, Bulgaria and New Zealand. Gopi said it will be a “tough tournament” but he is keeping his fingers crossed. “Even when I played, we always remained in Group 3 and this time, too, it’s going to be tough. France, Australia and Bulgaria are strong teams, but I’m hoping for good results in the men’s singles and doubles events. Chances of a good showing in the women’s singles event look brighter than before. We should also do well in the mixed doubles category,” the former All-England champion said.

In Anand’s absence, Sridhar who made it to the semis of the German Open this year will lead India’s challenge in singles. Sridhar who missed the camp due to injury will have to undergo a fitness test before the Scotland event. “We will have a fitness test for Anup on either 21st or 24th of this month. He will also be asked to play a few matches against Kashyap and Ajay Jayram,” Gopichand said.

The team: Men: Anup Sridhar (Singles), P Kashyap (Singles), Rupesh Kumar, Sanave Thomas (Doubles) and V Diju (Mixed Doubles). Women: Saina Nehwal (Singles), Aditi Mutatkar (Singles), Ashwini Ponappa, Aparna Balan (Doubles) and Nitya Sosale.