Tough task for shuttlers

Hyderabad: The biggest Commonwealth extravaganza has unfolded at Glasgow on Wednesday. Right now, all eyes would be on the picturesque locale in Scotland and the action that is expected tousher in a new wave of excellence and produce many more global champions.

But none in India would miss out on the irony that the previous edition that was hosted in New Delhi ranks among the most controversial ones for the bizarre behind-the-schemes criminal overdoses that are yet to be taken to their logical ends with several of those involved in the macabre manipulation going scot-free.

However, the icing on the cake came in the form of the country’s best ever showing in the Games’ history-an unprecedented haul of 101 medals, including 38 gold, 27 silver and 36 bronze finishes.

Despite the 2010 high, none can be ambitiously hopeful that there would be an encore for the simple reason that in the intervening period Indian athletic scene was in the pits, so to say. This is more so because of the ruckus created by vested interests running the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that spells disaster and unsporting machinations.

Coming to Indian chances of making hay in the podium sweepstakes, there is no room for doubt that given the contingent that has landed at Glasgow, even assuming to go anywhere near the Delhi outing would be nothing short of daydreaming.

All said and done, the only disciplines where Indians can hope to make the highest grade are badminton, boxing and shooting, although it would be a tough calling in each of them.

Assuming that there could be some pleasant surprises along the way before the curtains come down on August 3, it would be in the fitness of things to take stock of the sport that has the best potential-badminton, despite the absence of defending woman champion, Sana Nehwal. In fact her absence provides the best opportunity to the heir-apparent, P V Sindhu, who announced her arrival with a singles bronze in the World Championships.

Pullela Gopichand will be pinning hopes on Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap and the doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa. But it would be too optimistic to expect that all shuttlers will deliver at Glasgow. The only real hope comes from the girl’s quarter, including in singles and doubles.

India has four gold medals at CWG till date with the last two coming from Saina and Jwala/Ashwini in Delhi. The original master Prakash Padukone opened the floodgates with his epoch-making 1978 effort, which India retained through Syed Modi four years later.

When Saina faltered at the World Championships in China, it was Sindhu who salvaged pride while winning the bronze. It would be no different at the CWG as the tenacious 19-year-old is now the highest-ranked player in the tournament following her compatriot's withdrawal from the event. Sindhu may breathe easy as she contemplates her path to glory.

Her main challengers are third seed Kirsty Gilmour, who will attempt to become the first Scot to win the women's singles title and Canadian fourth seed Michelle Li. Others expected to perform well are Malaysian fifth seed Tee Jing Yi and sixth seed P C Thulasi of India.

But things are not so rosy in the men’s draw because although they have demonstrated their champion-material time and again, each is inconsistent at the highest level.

However, 2010 bronze medallist Kashyap will be eager to break Malaysia's stranglehold, who have won the gold since 1990. Though hugely gifted, he is prone to lapses of concentration, which may be his downfall.

It is other men in the fray, who have better chances of podium finishes like Kidambi Srikanth and R M V Gurusaidutt. Srikanth comes across as the best hope yet, particularly because of the manner he has been performing, of late.

Hopes are high from women's doubles defending champions Ashwini and Jwala, who surprised all to clinch the gold four years ago, India's first yellow metal in the category since 1982.

This time the 2011 World Championship bronze medal winning pair is seeded third. Though they are past their prime as a pair, they could spring a surprise by clinching a medal against much tougher competition.

After opening their Group B team championships on Thursday, Indians will be seen in singles action on July 29.

Taking a pragmatic view, one can hope for medals from Sindhu, the Jwala-Ponnappa duo and possibly Srikanth, although gold may elude the last two.