Badminton: A Jwala-Ashwini reunion could finally bring respite for doubles in India

They are the best India has produced, the Commonwealth Games Champions, WC medalists, highest ranked Indian Women’s Doubles pair ever and a daring and outspoken duo. Yes, I am talking about Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa. This celebrated doubles pair is expected to reunite in the near future. They were among the top pairs of the world, peaking at no.13, qualifying for the Olympics, the first for an Indian women’s doubles pair.

After achieving unprecedented success in the international arena, they parted ways when Jwala went into a self imposed sabbatical after the London Olympics. Ashwini, meanwhile, started pairing with Pradnya Gadre late last year. They were supposed to reunite earlier this year during the All England Championships. But Ashwini, who was having a good partnership with Gadre, was reluctant to break the new pairing. They had even beaten a Chinese pair, the current world no. 2 pair of Tang Jinhua and Ma jin, at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2013. This victory stunned the entire badminton world. Eager to continue their partnership, Ashwini refused to pair up with Jwala.

Jwala, by then, made a comeback in mixed doubles with former partner V. Diju. They played just two tournaments, The All England and India Open Super Series. They were also slated to enter the World Championships, but declined to participate a few days before the event. Jwala had also registered for a few events in partnership with Manu Attri in the mixed doubles category, but again did not participate in any of these. Even in the three events she played with Prajakta Sawant, they failed to clear the the first hurdle. The Ponnappa-Gadre duo also petered down in performance.

Doubles in Indian badminton had completely lost its ground with Jwala taking a break and the men’s doubles pair of Sanave Thomas and Rupesh Kumar reducing their appearance at the international level. Various other doubles pairs have emerged. Yet, none were able to recapture the magic Jwala created with Ashwini or Diju.

Though many singles players are coming up with phenomenal results, poor doubles performances cost us very badly. In team competitions like Uber, Thomas and Sudirman Cups, winning a tie also involves winning some doubles encounters. In spite of our improved singles performances, we will not be able to make progress in these competitions if the plight of doubles is such.

With this strong pair again featuring the draws on behalf of India in women’s doubles, we can look forward to some excitement and good results from them even as badminton is blossoming in the country. If they could make things work as earlier, given the sudden craze and following for badminton at the moment, they could inspire better performances from our doubles players.

A reunion could also enhance India’s medal prospects at the 2014 CWG and Asian Games. Given the current situation, they could be the best possible doubles team for India. Even more, a Jwala-Diju reunion will take Indian badminton to higher levels and make an indelible impression in the world arena, though Jwala has stated in an interview that she would partner Manu Attri for now.

Also, both Jwala and Ashwini are outspoken in voicing any concerns regarding the step-motherly treatment meted out to the doubles players and a reunion could really add to the impetus in Indian badminton today.