Kidambi Srikanth Fancies His Chances Of Defending Title At Commonwealth Games

Ace shuttler Kidambi Srikanth admits it was frustrating to miss out on the India Open after contracting COVID-19 but says he's fortunate to recover quickly from the infection and his main priority this year is to defend the Commonwealth Games gold. After struggling for the last few years, Srikanth finally got his rhythm back when he claimed the World Championship silver medal at Huelva, Spain in December last but he couldn't continue the momentum as he tested positive for COVID-19 and couldn't participate in the India Open Super 500 and Syed Modi International.

"It was frustrating but it is something I had no control over. I wanted to play the events in India as I felt I had a very good chance to win the tournament," said Srikanth, one of the seven Indian players who withdrew from the India Open after testing positive for the virus.

"I had mild symptoms. I was in isolation for around 10 days. Fortunately, I recovered quickly and once the test came negative, I started training immediately." Srikanth will start the season with the German Open Super 300 (March 8-13) before competing at the prestigious All England Championships (March 16-20) and end the tour with the Swiss Open Super 300 (March 22-27).

However, the 29-year-old said his main priority is to retain the gold he had won in 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

"The Commonwealth Games is very important for me as I am the defending champion. Asian Games is also important and in between, there is the World Championship," said Srikanth, who is leaving for Germany on Saturday.

"This is an important year and I just want to train well and play to the best of my ability. I have a very high chance of winning gold in individuals at CWG. But I will have to be really fit and