Indonesia Open 2022: Saina Nehwal, HS Prannoy Make Pullouts
India’s Thomas Cup 2022 champion HS Prannoy and star badminton pair Saina Nehwal & Parupalli Kashyap withdrew from the Indonesia Masters 2022 at the final moment on Monday. The Super Series 500 badminton event was set to start in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Saina, a bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics and India’s first Olympic medalist shuttler, opted out due to a lack of time. After recuperating from a hamstring injury, Kashyap failed to restore fitness.
Kashyap talked with media & told,
“I had injured my hamstring just before the selection trials and that took seven weeks to heal, then I had an ankle issue. I’m all right now.” However, I need to regain my fitness. I’m hoping to participate in a handful of the following four events.”
He also told about Saina Nehwal,
“Saina withdrew because there are so many tournaments so she thought it is better if she plays next week and skips this one. She is fine.”
Keep Reading
Prannoy also stepped back to concentrate on the Tour’s next four events. He said,
“I will skip this Indonesia event. I will play the next. I am in good shape. Looking forward to the next few weeks.”
With their victory over 14-time champions Indonesia to capture their first-ever title in the Thomas Cup 2022, India’s men’s team reached new heights.
But after the departures of Kidambi Srikanth, Kashyap, and Prannoy, the men’s division will be devoid of Indian flavor.
Srikanth had previously withdrawn, therefore India’s hopes in the men’s singles would be carried by Lakshya Sen, the top-ranked Indian shuttler & world bronze medalist.
Sameer Verma, a second Indian in the men’s singles draw, will begin his campaign with a qualifier. Sen and PV Sindhu will be in the spotlight in their absence as they prepare for the Commonwealth Games, which begin on 28th July.
