Ashwini Ponnappa and N. Sikki Reddy, who will play for Bengaluru Blasters, look to the ongoing Premier Badminton League (though they feature only in the mixed doubles event as there is no women’s doubles) as a huge learning curve.
Their first target will be to break into the elite group in women’s doubles after finishing runner-up in the recent Welsh International Challenge and picking up a bronze at the Irish Grand Prix.
Ashwini says they will take it match by match as they chart their course in the big league.
“PBL is a major platform with so many Olympians. Anyone can pick up a few new things to improve their game,” says Ashwini.
“Personally, I am very keen to focus on fitness and be more consistent,” she said.
“It is only a question of how quickly we understand each other in the next few tournaments. It will be a different experience for me compared to the partnership with the more experienced Jwala,” said the 27-year-old Ashwini.
“It’s been only a month since we began training together and I am happy at the way Sikki has been responding, especially in mastering how to rotate in simulated match situations. We have a very good doubles coach (Tan Kim Her),” says Ashwini.
“I always believe that everything happens for a reason. So also my split with Jwala, and it is time now to look ahead. I am confident Sikki and will be a formidable force in women’s doubles,” she said.
On her part, Sikki, fresh from the Brazilian and Russian Grand Prix titles and finishing runner-up in the Scottish Grand Prix partnering Pranaav Chopra in mixed doubles, is excited about playing with Ashwini.
“Unlike many seniors, she is a very sweet person always pushing me to be better. The best part is she tries to make me feel comfortable.
“Breaking into the top-15 in mixed doubles in such a short span is a huge morale-booster. These are the kind of results which can change your perception and confidence level,” said Sikki, who shot into the limelight after losing to Saina Nehwal in the 2008 Pune Commonwealth Youth Games final.
A serious knee injury, however, forced her to focus only on doubles.
“I don’t want to talk big, but yes there was some pressure initially as I stepped into the shoes of the formidable Jwala. She is a fabulous player and, like me, a left-hander,” Sikki said.
