Former India shuttler Parupalli Kashyap recently described PV Sindhu as an “underdog” in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, which is an unusual moniker for the two-time Olympic medalist. Despite this, Sindhu’s name continues to carry tremendous weight in the badminton world, as her strong reputation and big-match credentials make her a tough opponent. As she strives for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic medal, Sindhu’s path to Paris has been difficult, particularly as she continues to find her best form after recovering from a knee injury suffered in February.

Sindhu’s perseverance and experience on the international stage have made her a household figure in Indian sports, and while her current performances may not represent her previous dominance, her ability to rise to the situation is well documented.

Sindhu will have a tough test at the Paris Olympics as she attempts to overcome the physical and emotional challenges that have hampered her playing in recent months. Opponents will surely be wary of her, knowing that her experience and skill can tip the balance in any match.

In major events, I think the opponents also are a little wary of her even though she’s not in form. I think she’s going as a dark horse and underdog considering the last two years of women’s singles, Kashyap said in his recent interview.

There are clearly four athletes in the women’s singles who are out-and-out favorites to make it to the medal rounds but I’m sure they are wary and a little tense about facing Sindhu because she’s a big-match player and her game style is also very suited to major events, added the 2014 Commonwealth Game champion.

She’s an out-and-out attacking player and backs herself with a fitness level as well, Kashyap concluded. Sindhu has won the Singapore Open Super 500 and Commonwealth Games gold in 2022 since the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, although a left ankle injury she sustained in Birmingham required six months to heal.

When she returned to action, she struggled to regain her groove, losing as many as seven first-round matches.

Sindhu made it to the finals of the 2023 Spain Masters, but she sustained a knee injury a few months later in October last year. She returned in February of this year, but good results were difficult to come by, with the highlight being a runner-up finish at Malaysia Masters and a handful of quarterfinals.