Qualifying for Super Series final is my target: Kashyap

Almost on the way to complete recovery from an ankle injury, India's top shuttler Parupalli kashyap is eyeing a "consistent" performance in the next four tournaments to reach his target of qualifying for the BWF Super Series Final to be held in Malaysia in December.

"I want to qualify for the Super Series finals. So I have four more tournaments left in the year to do well and qualify and that would be the real motivation in the next four events. That is the only thing I am looking at right now," Kashyap told PTI.

"I have a fair chance. I will have to make it to top 8. I need to be really consistent in the four tournaments. So I will have to reach at least the quarters of all the four tournaments," said the 27-year-old, who dropped three places last Thursday to be placed at 17th in the World Super Series standings.

There are two Super Series Premier at Denmark and China and as many Super Series tournaments in France and Hong Kong left in the year and Kashyap is planning to come back strongly in Odense, which will be his first tournament after the Indian Badminton league, starting from October 15 to 20.

Kashyap, who had reached the quarterfinals of the London Olympics, said he will have to regain full fitness and need to add more variety to his net game before taking the court in Odense.

"I got injured in the second match I played against Srikanth in the Bangalore vs Lucknow game in IBL. It has almost healed but there are some minor issues. I have started training a few days back and it becomes a little sore after my playing sessions. So I did not go full on and played slow pace after starting practice. I think another few days of strength training and I should be okay," said the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.

"There is time for Denmark. I have to train hard from now on and push myself hard. I was playing decently in IBL. After the world championship, I was sort of mentally tired. It was an okay tournament. There are a couple of areas I am working on.

I need to add on a little more variation at the nets. I felt I was little simple at the nets in the world championship. My defence was good. I have to work on those little things," Kashyap said.

Talking about Indian badminton, Kashyap said a good future awaits India as the young bunch of men's singles players will serve the country for many years to come.

"I have been saying since a year that Indian players are playing very well. In next six months or any moment, you will see more good results in men's single. Because I play them at the academy and I know what level they are playing," said the Syed Modi India Grand Prix gold champion.

"(HS)Prannoy, (K) Srikanth did so well at the Japan open, Sai (Praneeth) missed out against Hu Yun in Japan but it was a very close game and Sai has the capability of beating him. Sourabh is also there. Everyone is almost at the same level. They are young and we will keep getting results in the years to come," added Kashyap, who is ranked 14th in the world.

Kashyap credited fellow shuttlers for his improved performance.

"I will also credit my results because of the variety of these young bunch. All of them have different style of play and it helps. so in the times to come, we will face each other even in the international competition and then it will be all about handling the pressure because I am more experienced and expected to win and I think IBL was a great learning experience in that regard," he said.