Easy opening tie for Indian shuttlers

Melbourne, Mar 15 (UNI) Indian shuttlers are confident of a winning start to their campaign as they take on Trinidad and Tabago in their opener in the Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.

''I don't underestimate my rivals but I still think we will have a relatively easy outing tomorrow'' said Indian coach Vimal Kumar.

Talking to UNI here this morning, Vimal exuded confidence of winning a medal in the team event as well as in the individual events.

''We will have no excuses to offer if we fail to deliver'' he added.

He said in the team event format, every side would have to play five matches -- men and women singles, men and women doubles and mixed doubles.

Vimal said as per the rules every team could give the names of the players for the team events four hours before the start of the match.

''So we have enough time to decide about our men and women singles players. We have already decided about the doubles pairings'' he said.

Sanave Thomas and Rupesh Kumar will join hands in the mens doubles while women's doubles team comprises Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurian. The mixed doubles team will feature Diju Veetil and Jawala Gutta.

Vimal said for the men's singles the choice is between National champion Anup sridhar and Chetan Anand and in the women section between Aparna Popat, Trupti Murgunde and Saina Nehwal.

''We have an outside chance of a medal (bronze) in the team events,'' he said.

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