Kashyap hopes to change Chennai trend

Although Kashyap hasn’t added any silverware in six finals played in the city, the 30-year-old is determined to change the trend with Chennai Smashers in the upcoming Premier Badminton League. 

The Hyderabad shuttler, who missed the prestigious Olympics in Rio de Janeiro due to an injury, said he is delighted to be a part of Chennai Smashers. “We have a strong team. We have an in-form Sindhu, who is an asset to any team not to forget the best doubles players in Chris and Gabrielle Adcock. Mads Pieler Kolding is a great inclusion. We have Sumit, who is the national champion and of course, I am there (laughs). The team looks excellent and I am raring to be a part of it,” Kashyap said. 

Kashyap said the league would act as a stepping stone for budding players. “They are getting a good chance to rub shoulders with the best in the business. There are many different strategies that the young players can try and inculcate in their own game. The intensity of the league is also different and the youngsters get a chance to enjoy it,” the 30-year-old said. 

The Arjuna Award winner thinks the Premier Badminton League will indoctrinate a sense of responsibility to the players. “Badminton has always been an individual sport. Everything changes now. We will have players, who were rivals earlier, cheering for you to win. It would imbibe team spirit in an individual and with top players in the fray, it also gives a chance to get an understanding of different game styles,” Kashyap added. 

The former World No. 6 says he is in a different phase in his career and is raring to make a comeback. “I have never been so injury-prone in my career and it is a different stage to be in. I have been in the top-10 consistently before my leg injury and things changed drastically in a week. Fortunately, I have recovered well now. I love competing and it is a good feeling to hit the court again. I hope the 2016 nightmare is over and hope the next year is a great one for me,” Kashyap said. 

With Arun Vijay, from the Pullela Gopichand stable, in the Chennai Smashers fold as the head coach, Kashyap said it was good choice by the team owners. “Arun is my junior and knows Sindhu and myself very well. He understands our game and has closely watched us play for many years now. He is quite experienced and knows the nitty-gritties of the game well. It is always good to have support from a known person in team games and I hope it helps in our quest for the championship,” Kashyap added.