Saina Nehwal: The Physical Toughness of Badminton, Tennis, and Basketball Compared to Cricket
Saina Nehwal, the Indian badminton player, recently made headlines with her comments about the physical toughness of sports like badminton, tennis, and basketball compared to cricket. Nehwal, who is a former world number one and Olympic bronze medalist, claimed that star cricketer Jasprit Bumrah wouldn’t be able to handle her smash in badminton.
In an interview with The Times of India, Nehwal said, “I would like to see him (Bumrah) try and return my serve. It’s not easy. Cricket is very different from badminton, tennis, and basketball. Those sports require a lot of physical fitness and endurance.”
Nehwal’s comments came after Kolkata Knight Riders player, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, mocked her on social media. Nagarkoti had posted a video of himself playing badminton and captioned it, “Saina Nehwal didi, how’s the josh?” The post was seen as a dig at Nehwal, who had earlier criticized the Indian cricket team for not giving enough importance to other sports.
Responding to Nagarkoti’s post, Nehwal said, “I don’t know who he is. I have never heard of him. But if he wants to challenge me, I am ready to take him on.”
Nehwal’s comments have sparked a debate about the value given to different sports in India. Cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the country, with a massive following and huge financial rewards for players. However, other sports like badminton, tennis, and basketball have also produced world-class athletes and brought glory to the country.
Nehwal, who has won numerous titles and accolades in her career, believes that more value should be given to other sports besides cricket. She said, “I think it’s time we start giving more importance to other sports. We have so much talent in our country, and we need to nurture it.”
It’s not just Nehwal who feels this way. Many other athletes and sports enthusiasts have been calling for a change in the way sports are perceived and promoted in India. They argue that cricket should not be the only sport that receives attention and funding from the government and private sector.
Despite the challenges, Nehwal remains optimistic about the future of sports in India. She said, “I believe that if we work hard and stay focused, we can achieve anything. We have the talent, the passion, and the drive to succeed.”
Nehwal’s comments have once again highlighted the need for a more inclusive and diverse approach to sports in India. It’s time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of athletes in all sports, not just cricket.
