Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has revealed a surprising sporting preference, stating he would choose to watch badminton over cricket any day, calling it his “favourite sport.”
Sunny G’s Unexpected Favourite Sport
Known globally for his cricketing prowess, Sunil Gavaskar recently shared his deep admiration for badminton. He openly stated that given a choice, he would always pick watching a badminton match over a cricket game.
Gavaskar highlighted India’s impressive progress in the sport. He specifically pointed to the historic 2022 Thomas Cup victory, comparing it to India’s iconic 1983 Cricket World Cup win.
India’s Historic Thomas Cup Triumph
The 2022 Thomas Cup marked a significant milestone for Indian badminton. The national team defeated 14-time champions Indonesia in a thrilling final, securing their first-ever title.
The final saw a dominant performance from India. Lakshya Sen kicked things off with a crucial win over Anthony Ginting, followed by a sensational victory from the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
Kidambi Srikanth sealed the historic win by defeating Jonatan Christie, making it a clean sweep of 3-0 in the final.
The Thrill of Badminton Rallies
What captivates Gavaskar most about badminton is the intensity and length of the rallies. He spoke of witnessing rallies lasting several minutes, even up to a hundred shots in doubles matches.
He expressed amazement at the incredible reflexes and athleticism displayed by the players. These extended exchanges are a testament to the endurance and skill of top-tier badminton athletes.
Recent Form: Satwik & Chirag’s Challenge
While Indian badminton has seen remarkable highs, the journey isn’t without its challenges. India’s top doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, recently faced a setback at the China Open Super 1000 tournament.
They bowed out in the semifinals after a straight-game defeat to Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. This Malaysian duo, current world No. 2 and 2022 World champions, has proven to be a tough opponent for the Indian pair.
- Sunil Gavaskar prefers watching badminton over cricket, calling it his “favourite sport.”
- He compares India’s 2022 Thomas Cup victory to the 1983 Cricket World Cup win.
- Gavaskar is highly impressed by the long, high-intensity rallies and athleticism in badminton.
Gavaskar’s endorsement highlights the growing appeal and success of badminton in India, a sport that continues to produce world-class champions.
