Early birthday gift for Malvika, gets maiden Uber Cup call

NAGPUR: The Badminton Association of India (BAI) gave an early birthday present to Malvika Bansod - an opportunity to don India colours alongside Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu.
After cancelling the scheduled national camp at Hyderabad, the BAI declared the 20-member Indian men's and women's team for October's Thomas and Uber Cup, respectively on Thursday. The Indian team for the October 3-11 event was picked on the basis of players' rankings, and Malvika is No 2 in the country.
Five days before she turns 19, Malvika got her maiden Uber Cup call.She will become the third city shuttler to play in Denmark after Arundhati Pantawane and Vaishnavi Bhale.
Seeking clarity from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on the scheduled September 7 national camp, the BAI had told outstation players, including Malvika, to wait at their home towns. Accordingly, Malvika continued her practice sessions in Raipur under coach Sanjay Mishra - since indoor activities were yet to resume in Nagpur.
Malvika was elated on her first Uber Cup call. "I'm glad to have got this opportunity. It's an honour to represent my country in the Uber Cup event," Malvika told TOI. She thanked all those who supported her - including the BAI, MBA president Arun Lakhani, her coach and parents - for the encouragement.
Ever since the lockdown was relaxed, Malvika has been practicing in Raipur. Waiting for BAI's confirmation on India's preparatory camp, Malvika will continue her sessions under Mishra there.
Indian Teams
Thomas Cup: Kidambi Srikanth, Parupalli Kashyap, Lakshya Sen, Subhankar Dey, Siril Verma, Manu Attri, Sumeeth Reddy, MR Arjun, Dhruv Kapila and Krishna Prasad Garaga.
Uber Cup: PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Aakarshi Kashyap, Malvika Bansod, Ashwini Ponnappa, Sikki Reddy, Pooja Dandu, Sanjana Santosh, Poorvisha Ram and Jakkampudi Meghana.