The way Prannoy stepped up augurs great for Indian badminton, feels coach Guru Sai Dutt 

Prannoy's coach, Guru Sai Dutt, reveals they are working to develop new strokes to keep Prannoy's winning momentum going. He is confident Prannoy can handle pressure and is getting better with each tournament. Gopi's inputs have been invaluable and the bronze at the World Championship is a huge boost for Indian badminton ahead of the Asian Games. Prannoy is determined to keep improving and Guru Sai hopes to keep getting better.

All those lined up to take on H.S. Prannoy, who won his maiden bronze in the World Championship, in the coming tournaments may be in for a surprise element as his travelling coach R.M.V. Guru Sai Dutt revealed they would be working really hard to come up with a few new strokes in the armoury of Prannoy to keep the winning momentum going on.

“Well, we are pleased to say that a couple of strokes which we tried in the Worlds did work out. Though I will not be explaining in detail for obvious reasons, for each tournament the effort will be there to provide that ‘shock’ to the opponent,” Guru Sai informed in a chat with The Hindu from Copenhagen.

“To be honest, in the World Championship, we never thought of winning a bronze or a silver. The focus was to understand the conditions, the opponent and the kind of strategy to be adopted on the given day. This process really helped us,” he said. “Importantly, Prannoy has figured out that the longer he keeps the opponent on the court, he is getting better,” he added.

“We were delighted at the way Prannoy handled the pressure in the quarterfinal in facing the home crowd favourite Viktor Axelsen, who is the reigning Olympic and world champion. The way he stepped up for the occasion augurs great for Indian badminton,” the 32-year-old former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist said.

“Yes, we must confess that physical aspects played a major part in the semifinal loss to World No. 3 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand . It is never easy at this level to play three back-to-back matches lasting three sets each and two of them mentally and physically draining. Definitely, Prannoy slowed down a bit in the middle of the second game,” he said.

“Definitely, we both understand each other better and to be very honest, he is getting better and better with each tournament ever since he won the Malaysia Masters in June this year. In fact, the process has been on for close to one year and it is now that the results are showing,” Guru Sai explained.

“I am grateful to Gopi sir for the kind of discussion he has been engaging both of us and the freedom he is giving us to express ourselves. It is proving to be too good for Prannoy also. His invaluable inputs from him played a major role for sure,” the former Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallist said.