'I am a more composed player'

The year 2014 has been fruitful for Indian shuttler HS Prannoy. From ranked 49th in the world a year ago to finishing the season as world number 22, the Kerala-based shuttler has shown glimpses of excellence.

“This season, the past six months in particular, has been the best time in my career. Playing the Vietnam finals and then going on to win the Indonesia title, I have been on top of my game giving the best I could and pulling off wins.

Overall it has been a satisfactory season,” said Prannoy talking to Deccan Herald on the
sidelines of the PSPB badminton championship at the KBA courts.

The product of the Gopichand Badminton Academy, Prannoy started the season on a winning note as he notched up bronze medal at the India GP Gold held in Lucknow.
“I started the season on a good note by wining the bronze in Lucknow, but then was sidelined for a while due to injuries that I had carried into the season,” said Prannoy..

Prannoy made a mid-season comeback to finish runners-up at the Vietnam GP Open and then later bettered his performance to lift the Indonesian Masters.

“It was great to win in Indonesia. I had trained very hard going into the tournament. And I am happy that my hardwork paid off -- a second place finish in Vietnam and a win in Indonesia a week later,” he added.

The Delhi-born shuttler was also forced to change his approach going into the season. Prannoy has now been a more matured, shedding the tag one-dimensional player. “

Though there hasn’t been any drastic change, I have altered my approach a bit. From an out-and-out attacking player, I have now become a composed player. I tend to rely on rallies. I try to build the game rather than going for the kill instantly,” he said.

With Olympic qualification at stake, Prannoy admitted the upcoming season would test
his skills and temperament. Prannoy, however, played down the pressure and said he was taking one tournament at a time.

“Without any doubt it is a big year. New season with lot more tournaments to participate in.

“I don’t have Olympic qualification on mind. I believe if I perform well the qualification will take care of itself,” Prannoy signed off.