Spearheaded by Olympic silver-medallist PV Sindhu, India are in for a tough challenge as they seek to end the agonising wait for a medal at the Sudirman Cup mixed team championship beginning here on Sunday.
India have managed to reach the knockout stage of the tournament only once during the 2011 edition, while in the last two editions they couldn't even cross the group stage.
India will have their task cut out this time when they take on Denmark and Indonesia in Group 1D.
India will open their campaign against two-time runners- up Denmark on Monday and will be facing former champion and six-time runners-up Indonesia on Wednesday.
For India, the onus will be on singles to win their respective matches, while they would be hoping one of their doubles pair pull off one match at least.
Saina Nehwal pulled out of the tournament few days back but Sindhu isn’t worried about Saina’s absence.
“I think we have a good chance, it's a mixed team event so girls and boys both have to perform well. Saina isn't playing, but that shouldn't be any issue," a confident Sindhu said.
Denmark have world No 3 and world No 4 Viktor Axelsen and Jan O Jorgensen respectively in their ranks and it would be a challenge for Jayaram and Singapore Open finalist K Srikanth to put it past the duo in men’s singles.
Jayaram has a 3-2 record against Axelsen, having beaten him at the Malaysia Open recently, while Srikanth has a 2-2 record against Jorgensen.
"It is definitely a tough draw. India's forte has always been singles but I think our doubles have done reasonably well of late. At least in mixed doubles, Sikki and Pranaav have done well recently," said Jayaram.
Doubles have been India's weakest link with the Olympian men's pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy finding it difficult to get going in super series events. But Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra have done well, winning their maiden Grand Prix Gold title in January at Syed Modi International.
The new pair of Sikki and Ashwini Ponnappa too have found success with a final finish at lucknow being the highlight of their career so far.