Sindhu vulnerable on counter-attack: Kumar

New Delhi: P.V. Sindhu appears “vulnerable” to counter-attacks which is a big factor in her losing many a title clashes, including most recently the Commonwealth Games final, said former India coach Vimal Kumar, who believes with more maturity and bit of luck she will be able to pull off close matches.

Sindhu, an Olympic and world championship silver medallist, settled for silver in a close final against Saina Nehwal in Australia.

“Sindhu looked subdued in the final. She didn’t have the same sort of aggression that she has when she plays others. What I have noticed is when rallies are long and when there is a counter-attack, Sindhu is a little vulnerable and Saina exploited that. She kept attacking.

But you don’t know what would have happened if it had gone to third game,” Vimal said.

“Sindhu is still young and she has been playing better against other girls. Unfortunately when she loses everybody criticises her but she is just 23, she can convert these situation to her advantage. I think that will happen. With little more maturity, she will do well. A bit of luck is also required.

“In this match also, she gave easy points to Saina. She was not confident of her shots. She was tentative while Saina’s body language was totally different, she was looking forward to the final. Had Sindhu lost in the semis, I don’t know if Saina would have been as aggressive because she was struggling against other girls.”

Vimal said Saina can regain her best form if she stays fit and doesn’t over-train.

“It will give her a lot of confidence and I have always said that if she stays injury free and takes care of her body and not over-train or do too many things, things will fall into place and she can still perform and be at her best. I feel she still has 2-3 years,” said Vimal, who had represented India at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

The 55-year-old said the mixed team gold was the highlight of India’s campaign at Commonwealth Games and if the team can continue in the same vein, the country can win the Thomas and Uber Cup titles next month.

“I would rate beating Malaysia in the final as creditable. That stands out for me, getting that gold. Overall we have shown progress in mixed doubles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and that is creditable. Ashwini and Sikki did well, Satwik and Chirag could have got the gold and that would have been a big achievement,” Vimal said.

Vimal also hoped Kidambi Srikanth or H.S. Prannoy could earn India a gold medal in Asian Games, something the country has never achieved.

“Next is the Asian Games. There unlike in CWG, the opposition will be very tough because China, Korea, Malaysia, all the top nations will be there but they also have restricted number of entries.

“So in that respect, I hope Srikanth and Prannoy can get us a medal, we took a bronze but never got a silver or gold.”