Aravind Bhat's Thomas Cup Diary

We took the Air India flight to Singapore. The flight was on 14th (February) morning. We found that Air India flights are the worst in the world. There was absolutely no leg space and the food was bad. To top it all the air hostesses were not courteous and didn't know the concept of 'service with a smile'!On the 14th evening we went for practise. The introduction of a small prayer before and after practise session is helping the team members become closer to each other. There is a lot of trust between the players.

Also, when we had the prayer session before practise on 14th, we noticed one thing which will improve the image of our team. That is:

The Chinese team was on the adjoining court and the players formed a small group and started their exercise together with Lin Dan being the leader.

Suddenly the Indian team got ready and we formed a line as usual and started the prayer.

This the Chinese noticed and would you believe it, the whole team was gaping at the Indian team's routine of prayer and synchonised exercise. This was never seen in the Indian camp before and will play positively in our heads if we are to play the Chinese.

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The hotel we are put up is called Federal Hotel and is in the city centre. It is a busy area and incidentally, it is Valentine's Day today. So there was a lot of activity and a lot of people around, all spreading the message of love.

We went around the malls searching for a supermarket to get some fruits, water and fruit juice.

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15th: Again a light practise session.

16th: We played Iran and won 5-0. Everyone seemed to be in tremendous form.

17th: No match.

18th: vs. Macau. Again we won 5-0 and the form in the Indian team has continued.

Also we have a team meeting everyday and every morning of the match where we play and build the spirit of the team.

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The girls are playing well too. Especially Aparna, who seems to be in the best form of her life.

She won the first singles against a Japanese and also the first singles against Hong Kong.

Also, Trupti showed good character to win the third singles against Japan and played well to win against Hong Kong in the second singles.

Today the girls beat Hong Kong 4-1 with only Jwala and Shruti losing.

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19th: Men's team played Korea. We lost 5-0. Only the doubles players played well. The singles players were all beaten squarely. Actually, before the match started, our team members thought that only the singles players had a chance and hadn't given the doubles players even a bit of hope.

So we were second in our group. Hence we played Hong Kong for the fifth and sixth place.

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Today we had a different strategy with Abhinn and Vidyadhar being left out. Chetan played the first singles against Ng Wei. He lost in straight games. He had a stiff back so he could not perform.

In the second singles I played Agus Hariyanto and lost in three games 11-15, 17-14, 15-9.

After winning the first game 15-11, I was up 14-12 in the second, match point! But in a hurry to finish the match I played a lot of negative points.

One thing I have noticed with these good international players, they play carefree at any point of the match. In fact Agus Hariyanto seemed to get better and better after I served match point. And we tend to get more tentative at crucial moments.

Third singles: Sachin Ratti lost to Johan Hadikusuma 15-1, 9-15, 15-13.

Sachin played brilliantly to win the second game 15-9. He actually outpaced Johan.

In the third game Sachin was up 9-3. Again from here Johan played like a man who is very confident and sure.

Johan led 14-10. Then Sachin gave one last heave to make it 13-14. But a bad line decision in favour of Hadikusuma ended the match.

There was a big silence in the Indian camp.

The doubles players did not get to play or show their mettle in this match.

We had to at least win one singles and then we thought both the doubles combinations had a chance, especially the second doubles.

So near yet so far!!!

But there is a lot to learn from this. Especially the doubles players because they had a good three-week camp with the new Indonesian coach Hadi Sugianto and they played well against the Koreans (no.2 and no.7 pair in the world).

Also, I thought I had a good match against Agus Hariyanto who is one of the top players in the world. You played one you played them all. All these top Asian players are the same with similar style of play.

I felt if I could match Agus then even I am in the top league and can play and match anyone in the world.

Next we are off to Europe for the Swiss, All England and French Open