The success of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in doubles has resulted in a slew of younger-paired shuttlers aiming high. Tanisha Crasto, a formerly laid-back 20-year-old, got her act together as soon as the prospect of Olympic qualification was dangled in front of her. Her off-court habits, particularly her sleeping and eating habits, have improved. And she is calmer on the court, thanks to Ashwini Ponnappa’s serene presence.
Tanisha and Ashwini have entered the Top 25 in doubles rankings in the last month of this year. The rejigged pair of Tanisha and Dhruv Kapila have won their first minor title in mixed, raising hopes of a strong headway in a category where Indians haven’t quite taken off since Jwala Gutta and V Diju left the scene a decade ago. Tanisha had a promising relationship with Ishaan Bhatnagar before the latter was sidelined by an ACL tear during the last Nationals. Bhatnagar is expected to return in February 2024. Tanisha was teamed with Dhruv, who was awaiting the return of his own doubles partner MR Arjun, who was out with injury.
It was the decision of the coaches to pair us up after the Asian Games. Hopefully, we build on the Odisha title over the next 2-3 years. We are looking at it step by step but hope it’s a long-term partnership, Dhruv said happily after clinching a title with Tanisha. Till now, I’ve focused on the backcourt. There’s potential to improve a lot in the forecourt. Arjun, Chirag, and Satwik have been seniors, and I’ve learned plenty from them. But it’s always a good thing to play against them daily, and help them before tournaments, Dhruv added.
National doubles coach Arun Vishnu admitted that it will be entirely Tanisha’s call whether to continue with Dhruv or rekindle her partnership with Bhatnagar. Depending on what she is comfortable with, he said. Tanisha is naturally a mixed doubles player. Her strokes are aggressive, the movement is always geared forward, and her conversions and interceptions at the net are much improved over this season, Arun added.
Arun believes Ashwini-Tanisha has the same chance as Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand to make the Paris cut, there is enthusiasm and a lot of silent work that has gone into nurturing Tanisha as a mixed doubles potential. It’s an occasion that suits her confrontational personality better. Earlier, Tanisha used to run after every shuttle, almost stabbing it. But she’s playing it smarter now, with a plethora of variations in her serve, the coach concluded.
