TEAM INDIA will be without the services of Saina Nehwal and HS Prannoy for the Sudirman Cup held in Australia. Saina pulled out due to personal reasons while Prannoy's reason not known.
This leaves the responsibility of the men's and women's singles on Ajay Jayaram, Kidambi Srikanth and PV Sindhu who are capable of giving their best performances.
The other shuttler in the women's singles travelling with the team is youngster Rituparna Das.
In the men's doubles we have Manu Attri/Sumeeth Reddy who is also accompanied by young pair Satwik/Chirag Shetty. In the women's doubles, India will be represented by Ashwini Ponnappa/Sikki Reddy while in the mixed doubles Pranaav Jerry Chopra/Sikki will take over. Doubles shuttler K Maneesha too travelling with the team.
Since this is a team event, expect some surprises in the pairing especially in the doubles category.
India first take on Denmark on Monday who won't be an easy opponent but the former should be able to put up a good fight.
The men's singles and doubles is where the Danes may prove to be a threat therefore the Indian shuttlers will have to give nothing but their best. Considering the form that Ajay and Srikanth are in, expect a close contest.
On Tuesday India will face another mighty opponent in Indonesia. A lot will be expected of this Indian team. It has been mixed reactions from the shuttlers, Srikanth has admitted that it will be a tough competition with the other two teams while Sindhu is confident of them pulling it through and passing the hurdle.
Now all eyes will be the opening tie tomorrow in Gold Coast.