She played second fiddle to senior partner Jwala Gutta during their successful combination, but shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa now has a role reversal to enact in her fledgling women's doubles partnership with the inexperienced Pradnya Gadre.
"Jwala is a very confident player, a very good player at the net. She was the dominant player and the guiding force in our partnership. Pradnya too is a fine player at the net but she is inexperienced. Its my duty to take the initiative and guide her," said the 23-year-old Ashwini.
Ashwini had created waves during her partnership with Jwala by winning the gold in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and a first-ever bronze medal for India in the World Championships the next year before parting ways and teaming up with Pradnya.
The doubles specialist from Bangalore was here to conduct a clinic at the Jamnabai Narsee School in suburban Vile Parle in connection with the 'Shuttle Experess' initiative of the upcoming Indian Badminton League.
Ashwini said her immediate focus is to improve her rankings in both women's doubles and mixed doubles, where she teams up with Tarun Kona.
"My partnership with Tarun and Pradnya is growing and we are getting better with every event. With the World Championship coming up, our aim is to improve our rankings," she said.
Currently Ashwini and Pradnya are ranked 27th in the world, two better than her ranking in the mixed doubles with Tarun.
The World Championships are due in Guangzhou from August 5-11, with China conducting the prestigious event after a gap of 26 years.
Ashwini, however, categorically ruled out any chance of rejoining forces with Jwala in the near future, including at next year's Asian Games in Korea and Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
"I have a new partner (Pradnya) and would like to do well with her," she said.
