Vimal Kumar Calls for International Exposure to Elevate India's Doubles Badminton

Former national coach Vimal Kumar advocates for greater international exposure for India's young doubles pairs in badminton. He suggests hosting bilateral series and Test matches with leading Asian badminton nations to improve and sustain success. He emphasizes focusing on doubles standards, proper investment, and nurturing young talent.

Vimal Kumar, a former national badminton coach, has emphasized the urgent need for India to focus on international exposure for young doubles pairs. By hosting bilateral series and Test matches with top badminton nations, Kumar believes India can achieve sustained success at the elite level in doubles.

Although the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty is globally competitive, there is a noticeable drop in talent beyond them. Kumar has pinpointed the areas of concern as men's, women's, and mixed doubles, suggesting investment in emerging talent like Tanisha and Dhruv Kapila.

To address these issues, Kumar proposes initiating bilateral or triangular series with countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, providing young Indian players with exposure to high-pressure team events. He warns that while top players receive support, upcoming talent requires substantial investment to thrive in international competitions.

(With inputs from agencies.)