JOIN USI really want to go for bigger titles: Kashyap
Parupalli Kashyap is upbeat following his season’s first title in Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold. The victory was special as he played the final against compatriot Kidambi Srikanth with an abdominal strain troubling him for most part of the match. The title has stoked the desire in the Hyderabadi shuttler to go for bigger titles.
Kashyap had to wade through a strong field in Syed Modi before squaring up against a familiar foe and in-form Srikanth. Both are the wards of Pullela Gopichand and often engaged in sparring with each other during practice. The clash in the final of the 2013 Senior National Championship between the two was close and thrilling, both showing the penchant to go for their strokes.
It was the first international title for Kashyap since his conquest of 2014 Commonwealth gold medal, beating two top ten players on way. “It is a good start to the year. I really wanted to do well in Malaysia Grand Prix, where I lost in pre-quarterfinals, and Syed Modi. I had pulled my ab muscle and felt the pain in the final, can’t say how bad it is now. But in a way it helped me as I focused on playing smarter,” Kashyap told Deccan Herald.
“Now, I really want to go for bigger titles. I believe I can win them. I have to take care of my injuries. This year I want to be in top physical shape and play a full season. The next important tournament is All England, so hopefully I will recover by then,” he said.
Reflecting on the final, the 28-year-old, said he expected a tough final against Srikanth. “Both of us know each other’s game. I could anticipate his strokes. Srikanth is in top form and has had a good run, so it was not easy either. May be my experience gave me the edge,” said Kashyap, who won 23-21, 23-21 for his second title in Lucknow, having won in 2012.
“I learnt a lot of things I need to work on from this tournament. Like the need to work a bit more on my defence, the match temperament, how to change my game as per the situation. I will be going back to the academy and working on it,” he noted.
Kashyap, however, was aggrieved by the lack of recognition for male shuttlers. “It saddens me to think that people don’t even know that I won the Syed Modi Grand Prix. I won the Commonwealth Games last year which was no mean accomplishment. Then Srikanth did so well last year, winning the China Open. But no one recognises our achievements, no corporate have come forward to support us,” he said.