New Delhi

Emphasising the urgent need to strengthen India’s doubles programme, former national coach Vimal Kumar on Thursday said young players must be given sustained exposure to international, team-based competitions to achieve long-term success at the highest level of badminton.

Kumar suggested that India host bilateral series and Test matches against top badminton nations, saying such initiatives would help bridge the growing gap in doubles across all categories.

While men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty remain among the world’s elite, Kumar pointed out that there is a steep drop in quality beyond them, highlighting a worrying lack of depth in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles.

“We need to focus far more on improving our doubles standards. All three doubles categories are areas of concern. Tanisha and Dhruv Kapila, for instance, are not yet in the same league as the top international pairs, and these are the combinations we should be investing in,” the Dronacharya awardee told PTI.

A two-time national champion, Kumar proposed organising regular Test matches and mini-circuits involving leading Asian badminton nations to give Indian youngsters consistent exposure to high-pressure team events.

“We should build strong ties with countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Their under-21 teams should come here to play Test matches against us,” said Kumar, who is also the co-founder and chief coach of the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy.

He further suggested creating a compact circuit hosted across three or four Indian cities, noting that team competitions bring a different level of pressure that accelerates player development.

“When you play team events, the pressure is very different, and youngsters automatically improve,” he said.

The 63-year-old, who has coached top players such as PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Lakshya Sen, urged the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to take the lead, proposing bilateral or triangular series as a practical and cost-effective model.

“An India versus Indonesia Test match, or adding another country to make it a triangular series, is very feasible. You only need around 10 players per team, and everyone benefits. We should take that initiative,” he said.

Kumar acknowledged the competitiveness of India’s domestic circuit but stressed that exposure to eastern playing styles remains crucial.

“Our domestic tournaments are good, but the playing styles in East and Southeast Asia are very different. That exposure comes from playing them regularly, either by inviting them here or touring centres in Thailand and Indonesia. That is how you close the gap,” he said.

He added that while India provides strong support to its top players, the widening gap between the elite and those striving to break through on the BWF World Tour needs immediate attention.

“Our top players receive all the support they need, and rightly so. But there are players who need backing to compete in 300-level events or Challenge tournaments. That requires significant investment, and we must allocate resources there,” Kumar said.

“India has several players in the top 50 and top 100. The real challenge is breaking into the top 30, and that is not easy.”

Highlighting the importance of nurturing emerging talent patiently, Kumar cited young shuttler Tanvi Sharma as an encouraging example.

“I was very impressed with the way Tanvi played. Her counter-attacking game shows that the next line of players is coming through,” he said.

“This is the stage when they need support, but we must not overdo it. Sometimes excessive support can also be counterproductive. Patience is key.”

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Kumar also underlined the importance of parental awareness and mental strength, saying facilities and funding alone are not enough.

“Parents must understand the process. Not everyone can become an Olympic champion or an All England winner. Once a player is identified, you follow the process. Beyond that, temperament plays a huge role. You need the right mindset to reach the top,” he said.