PV Sindhu’s series of bad losses continues as she bows out of the Asian Games to He Bingjiao
PV Sindhu returns home from the Asian Games in Hangzhou after local star He Bingjiao defeated her in the quarterfinals.
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PV Sindhu (Image via: Imago)
PV Sindhu will return without a medal from the Asian Games in Hangzhou. On Thursday, the diva of Indian badminton looked flat like stale beer and lost in straight games to China’s own star, He Bing Jiao in the quarter-finals.
First things first, FIRST SPORTZ had written before the badminton events began at the Asian Games that this would be a tough challenge for Sindh. Why? The girl from Hyderabad has suffered from loss of form, a seeming lack of energy, and losing faith in her own self.
It was evident in the quarter-final clash where the key ingredients were missing in Sindhu’s game, the big smash and speed on the court. Up against the left-hander, who had full backing from the local crowd, Sindhu looked lost on the court. Her body language has never been so poor. Maybe, she had sensed it in 2023 she is dealing with a lot of issues.
There is no way you can complain about her not working hard. Sindhu is one of India’s most hard-working athletes and does not mind slogging. Yet, there has been a kind of stagnancy in her game.
Her usual lack of rhythm, and not winning points at the net reflected her misery. Bing Jao is a seasoned campaigner who knows she has to play her “A Game” against the Indian. A regular on the BWF Tour, the Chinese girl has been around for a long time. Maybe, Sindhu has been around for so long, since her Asian Games debut in 2010 in Guangzhou, fatigue has set in.
PV Sindhu fails to advance to the semifinals of the Asian Games
PV Sindhu is truly Indian badminton’s most decorated star with two Olympic medals from Rio and Tokyo. But then, matches are not won on past records. There is a possibility Sindhu had felt she was not in the best frame of mind going into these Asian Games. Her LinkedIn post suggested she was struggling for rhythm and wanted blessings from all her fans. The pessimist may think she is past prime and so on.
That would be foolish, though, she is still India’s best singles player in the women’s section. Form can be temporary, class is permanent. Before this, her compatriot Saina Nehwal had also dealt with similar issues. Sana is not too active a player now but has not retired either. From here on, Sindhu will need to sort out her game and whatever doubts are there in her mind. The Paris Olympics qualification cycle is on. And she is aware of it.
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S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)