PBL will help me get back to my best: P Kashyap

Kashyap was expected to be back after six weeks, but persistent knee trouble extended his recovery period to almost eight weeks. “I’m better now. I have been playing for a week. It was a torn calf muscle in the left leg that healed in six weeks but then there were some issues with my knee in right leg as I probably exerted too much pressure on it. So that took another 10 days to heal and that’s why it got delayed and now it is the ninth week since the injury,” said Kashyap as quoted by FreePress Journal.

The Gopichand academy trainee feels that PBL is happening at the right time and will help him assess his recovery while also providing good match practice before an action-loaded season. “It is good that PBL is happening. I can continue my program during the event and it will be a good match practice for the important calendar ahead. It will help me a lot to get better,” he added.

The Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medalist felt frustrated, after being so close to qualifying for the Super Series Final, and yet losing out his spot in the top-8 due to the injury woes. “It was frustrating these two months. I missed on too many things in life, game wise and financially also. I was playing the best among Indians and I was close to qualifying for Super Series Final but it turned out completely different,” Kashyap told the FreePress Journal. 

Along with participating in the mega event, Kashyap will also be taking part in the Malaysian Masters scheduled from January 19 and try and defend his title at the Syed Modi Grand Prix from January 26.

Meanwhile, World No.2 Saina Nehwal felt that the ‘Trump Match’ will be a crucial factor which will decide the fate of the teams in the long run. She felt it will be the turning-point of every tie as the tide may swing in anybody’s favour due to that one match. Saina said, "What is exciting me the most is the new rule of 'Trump Match'. I think that will be the turning point for any team during any day. So using it effectively will be the key for each team” as quoted by Zee News.