Building a Brighter Future for Indian Doubles Badminton

Former national coach Vimal Kumar emphasizes enhancing Indian badminton doubles by advocating for international exposure through bilateral series and test matches with leading nations. While praising top players, he highlights the need to invest in up-and-coming pairs to ensure sustained success and bridge existing gaps in player development.

Emphasizing the urgent need to boost Indian doubles badminton, former national team coach Vimal Kumar called for international exposure through bilateral series and test matches. By hosting competitions against leading badminton nations, India can build the depth required for sustained success on the global stage.

Highlighting the significant gap beyond the top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, Kumar stressed the importance of investing in emerging talent across categories like men's, women's, and mixed doubles. He pointed out that younger pairs, such as Tanisha and Dhruv Kapila, are not on par with top-ranked teams and need focused development.

Proposing collaborative initiatives with countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, Kumar advocated for regular matches to provide Indian youngsters with high-pressure team event exposure. He also emphasized the importance of parental understanding and patience in nurturing future champions, alongside necessary funding and support.

(With inputs from agencies.)