By Prarthana Hazarika
India’s 1-3 quarterfinal defeat to Japan in the women’s badminton team event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games has exposed the gap in singles depth, with former India international shuttler Ajit Wijetilekk stressing that building quality bench strength will take years.
Speaking exclusively to Meghalaya Sports Wijetilekk said Japan’s higher-ranked players made the contest a tough challenge for India, with the opening singles and first doubles proving crucial.
“Japan is a very strong women’s team and were odds-on favourites to win. All the matches Japan was higher ranked. Winning the first singles was crucial as well as winning the first doubles,” he said.
PV Sindhu pushed Akane Yamaguchi hard but lost in three games, while Unnati Hooda also went down. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand kept India’s hopes alive with a crucial doubles win before Japan sealed the tie through Nozomi Okuhara.
“Sindhu played very well and it could have gone her way in two sets,” Wijetilekk said, while praising Okuhara’s experience against young Tanvi Sharma.
“Imagine Nozomi Okuhara playing third singles for any country! She is getting back to the top and showed her class.”
Wijetilekk backed Sindhu and the Treesa-Gayatri pair to remain medal contenders in the individual events, but cautioned that India’s singles depth cannot be built overnight.
“Depth can only be had if we have great quality bench strength, and that has to be built over years. Right now, only Sindhu shows that quality, but a few talented girls are in the fray. Maybe a couple may make that cut,” he said.
In contrast, Wijetilekk believes India’s men have the balance to challenge any team, with four capable singles players complemented by a formidable doubles combination.
India’s 3-0 quarterfinal victory over Japan, highlighted by Lakshya Sen’s comeback win, demonstrated that strength.
“We have four singles players who can beat anyone on a given day. Add to it a phenomenal men’s doubles, and we have great balance in the squad. We can beat any team,” he said.
Wijetilekk also praised the unity and team spirit fostered by the senior players, calling it a key strength of the Indian men’s squad.
