Recuperating from an ankle injury, Parupalli Kashyap's confidence seems to be only heading north as India's top male shuttler aims to break into the top-5 in world rankings, calling it a "real possibility".
"Yes, that's a real possibility, especially after the win against world number 3 in the World Championships. That has given me a lot of confidence. I think I am almost there, it's very difficult," Kashyap said here today.
Kashyap is in the capital for the 35th PSPB Inter-Unit Badminton tournament, though his participation remains in doubt due to the injury.
"Let's see. There will always be little doubts in my mind due to injury. It's a little right now and there is a bit of weakness. Right now my foucs in on the injury," the 27-year-old Hyderabadi said.
Currently ranked 12, his next international engagements will be the Super Series in Denmark and France and Kashyap is itching to do well on the European circuit.
"In three weeks' time, I should be playing in Denmark and France."
He said the next year will be an important one with the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships lined up.
Fellow female shuttler Ashwini Ponappa, who has reunited with former doubles partner Jwala Gutta after one year, said she was looking forward to playing with the latter.
"I am excited to play with Jwala again, and Denmark Open will be our first international tournament after the reunion," she said.
"We hope to get our rhythm back, get back that confidnce and once we get, everything will fall in place. We are taking it one step at a time," Ponappa added.
Talking about women's doubles in India, she said, "We are still getting there, there is still a long way to go, we need a lot of support.
