HS Pranoy

Despite being overshadowed on the junior circuit for the most part by Praneeth, Kerala’s HS Pranoy, is slowly making a name for himself. While they both won bronze at the World Juniors in Mexico last year, 18-year-old Pranoy went on to win the silver at the Youth Olympics, while Sai Praneeth went out early in the competition. But Pranoy is used to being the unnoticed understudy and then proving people wrong. “I come from Kerala— a state which is not really well known for badminton. So when I first played against senior players, they would take it easy on me. But very quickly they learnt that they had to play me seriously. That makes me feel good.”

While Prannoy knew he could make do with the states limited number of practice partners till the U-16 level, to achieve more he knew he had to go to the Gopichand Academy, which is when he met Praneeth. Even when being compared to Praneeth, Pranoy is realistic. While Praneeth thrives around delicate flourishes and a huge range of strokes, Pranoy’s game is built around stamina and brute power, entering long rallies to tire out opponents. “My game is not so nice to watch, because I am not as naturally talented as Praneeth, so I must play to my strengths. “

B Sai Praneeth

Has been one of the most consistent players on the junior circuit. He won the U-13, the U-16 and then held the junior U-19 title for two years in a row. He also reached the semi-finals of the Junior World Championships in Mexico. The performances were enough for national coach Pullela Gopichand to tip him as one of the most promising talents in India. With a win at the Senior Nationals against 2008 National Champion, Arvind Bhat, he has also proved he is capable of mixing it up with the best. Lightly built, he compensates for his frame with speed and a naturally stylish technique. “When people look at me, they always think I am very frail. They are not entirely wrong. My strength is in my speed, I try to avoid playing long rallies. Instead I make them do all the running around.”

… contd.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rising-through-the-ranks/735228/