Saina Nehwal Vs PV Sindhu: A New Rivalry for National Badminton Championships Title

The marquee clash at the Senior Badminton Nationals which was held in Guwahati was the Women’s singles final that saw Saina Nehwal take on PV Sindhu. It was expected to be a fierce contest. After all, this match pitted hands down the two top badminton players of the country against each other. It was also a clash between a player who ensures Saina wasn’t the only Indian female badminton player the world was whispering about in the singles arena and the original poster-girl, who put Indian badminton firmly on the global map. A hostile Saina beat Sindhu in straight games 21-18, 21-15. A winner is sure in this contest, but does there have to be a winner and a loser in the court of public opinion?

 

As soon as Saina won on Sunday, the comparisons started between the two players. Multiple questions were being asked. Who is better, Saina or Sindhu? Who seemed to have the upper hand? Was this just an anomaly?

 

There is no need of any comparison between the two players as they are both Indian players and at any multi-nation tournament, like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games or the Olympics, they win medals for adding to the overall medal tally of India.

 

Saina Nehwal is 28-year-old while Sindhu is 23. The difference of 6 years is a lot when it comes to international individual sports, especially when it’s a physically grueling sport like badminton. In that context, the meteoric rise of Sindhu shifted the spotlight a little away from Saina. It seems to have also boosted the determination of older players to showcase the world that she is still very much a force to reckon with. It’s a great thing for Indian badminton sphere overall. Healthy competition is encouraged by every coach. We being fans must realize that there is a difference between that breed of competition and the kind that many like to propagate.

 

Saina holds a 3-1 lead of the four encounters in the entire international head-to-head between both the players. The last one was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games women’s singles final. Saina in that match won the gold and Sindhu took the silver. Sindhu is currently ranked higher in the women’s singles world rankings, at sixth place, while Saina is at ninth. Saina has an Olympic bronze medal and Sindhu has a silver medal.

 

There’s nothing wrong with being a big fan of one player and support his or her over another compatriot. But it’s also vital to celebrate every Indian player who is giving it his or her all to try and win.

 

 

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/saina-nehwal-pv-sindhu-to-renew-rivalry-for-national-badminton-championships-title/articleshow/67946295.cms