Saina will taste success in Rio; Indian shuttlers should give their best during Olympics: Prakash Padukone

FORMER BADMITNON CHAMPION PRAKASH PADUKONE has too echoed what many others have been saying about Saina Nehwal having the best possible chance to win a medal in Rio.

At present she has raised the level of expectation after winning the Australian Superseries title.

Talking to Reuters, Padukone said,

"Saina has a lot more variety now. I think she plays a lot more at the net now. Earlier her game was more or less predictable. She had a few strokes, she used to keep playing them and there were not many variations.Now she has developed a lot more strokes, specially at the net. She is much more confident and that has made a big difference."

But the All England champion also stressed upon that she still needs to get better.

"Tactically she can do a little bit more. Maybe a plan A and plan B, which I'm sure she already has,"

said Padukone, who will be a panellist for broadcaster Star Sports during the 2016 Games.

"Maybe if something doesn't work, then she has to have a different plan. It's just the question of a little bit of polishing. She definitely has everything otherwise she wouldn't have been where she is."

This year onwards, each nation is allowed to send only two singles shuttlers down from three at London and in earlier Games. Taking this into consideration, Prakash Padukone says that it makes less likely for China to take home the gold medals.

"They are no longer the dominating force going by the results we have seen in the last 12 to 24 months. Earlier when the draw used to come, everybody used to hope there are no Chinese. That's no longer the case, that fear is not there anymore. That's good for the game. For the Indians, though they wouldn't say it, but it used to be a mind-block."

He also said that the most important thing for the Indian shuttlers was to get their best out during Aug. 11-20 Rio competition.

"When you go there it doesn't matter if in the last two months you have beaten all the top players and you have been the world number one. It's important that you reach the peak and play your best during that particular week. That's what will count ultimately and will be the key."