Mumbai, Jan 1:
A sudden calf muscle tear having upset his plans to make it to the 2015 year-ending Dubai Super Series finals, India’s most experienced male shuttler, Parupalli Kashyap, is looking forward to the Premier Badminton League to put his game back on track in the Olympic year.
“I had a calf muscle tear on my left leg which happened in the French Open almost two months back. It was a big setback. I was really upset about it. I had a clear cut chance to qualify for the Dubai Super Series finals which I was aiming for the whole year. I wanted to be in the top eight and qualify for Dubai,” Kashyap told reporters here today.
The world No. 15 and 2012 London Olympic Games quarter finalist will represent his home town franchise, Hyderabad Hunters, in the PBL commencing here tomorrow.
Kashyap said he was ahead on points at that moment, and even cursory first round exits in the next two events – in Hong Kong and China – would not have stopped him from making it to Dubai, but he withdrew on ethical grounds.
“If I had participated in Hong Kong and China even by not wining a single round, I still could have made it to Dubai because my points were better than the others, but it did not happen. I did not think it was ethical to go in a wheelchair and concede my match just make it to Dubai.
“Even in Dubai, (if I had gone) just to get points, I would not have been fit although I would have got points and remained in the top 10. But as a player I felt it was not right. (Consequently) My ranking dropped to 15. This is a setback. It’s Olympic qualification and I would have had considerable lead over others. But I am positive about it and feel everything happens for the good. I had time to think about my game,” said the 29-year-old shuttler.
Saying he did not know why the injury happened, Kashyap said he will take a call on how many of the 11 tournaments to play to qualify for the August Rio Games after taking part in the PBL. (PTI)
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