Veteran Indian badminton star
Prannoy, who secured a bronze medal at the previous Asian Games, expressed a clear desire to maintain his high standards of play. He noted that he does not intend to compete if he cannot perform at the elite level he has established throughout his career. While he is currently focused on the challenge in Nagoya, he has left the door slightly ajar for a potential run at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, provided he feels his physical condition remains competitive over the next 18 months.
Building on Past Success and Future Ambitions
Reflecting on his current form, Prannoy stated that he feels in a good place both mentally and physically, having recently competed at the Vietnam Open. The veteran shuttler is drawing significant inspiration from his teammate Kidambi Srikanth, whom he regards as one of the finest men's singles players India has ever produced. According to Prannoy, watching Srikanth’s continued dedication to the sport provides him with the confidence and motivation to keep pushing his own limits at the highest level.
The Indian team enters the Aichi-Nagoya Games with a sense of unfinished business. After narrowly missing out on gold in Hangzhou—where they finished with silver—the squad is determined to go one step further. Prannoy acknowledged that the previous narrow defeat serves as a powerful motivator for the group as they look to secure the top spot on the podium this time around.
A Unified Approach to the Asian Games
Doubles specialist
The Indian team benefits from a core group that has remained largely intact, having tasted success together at the Thomas Cup and previous continental events. Shetty noted that the familiarity between players is a significant asset. Fresh off a victory at the China Open, the duo of Shetty and Rankireddy remains focused on executing their game plan in crucial moments. For the players, the opportunity to represent the nation in a multi-sport environment remains a distinct honor, and the team is eager to translate their collective experience into a gold-medal performance over the coming ten days.
