Popat, a silver medallist at the 1998 CWG in Kuala Lumpur, said India are favourites across all events. "Not only will we come back with individual gold medals but also win gold in team event," said Popat.
Former Olympian and nine-time national badminton champion Aparna Popat is confident of India having a shot at gold across all the five events at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4-15.
"We have seen the performances of the singles players, both men's and women's, in recent times," Popat said. "Singles gold in both men's and women's are a sure shot. In men's doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are on a roll. They have been consistently improving. But, it is their first CWG. How they handle pressure and expectation is to be seen," she added.
"In women's doubles Ashwini Ponnappa is a seasoned campaigner, Sikki Reddy is in great form. The mixed doubles is a challenge. Great Britain and Malaysia have strong teams. But, I believe we have a shot at gold across the five events."
Popat, a silver medallist at the 1998 CWG in Kuala Lumpur, said India are favourites across all events. "Not only will we come back with individual gold medals but also win gold in team event," said Popat.
'Hockey men to contend for silver'
Meanwhile, Viren Rasquinha, member of the 2004 Athens Olympics hockey team, felt that Indian men will have to contend for silver with New Zealand and Great Britain, "as Australia are clear favourites".
"It is a matter of those couple of days how the Indian men's team performs for silver or bronze," Rasquinha said.
He said that the women's team was interestingly poised.
"When the Indian women won the Asia Cup last year, they had a far better performance than the men. There, they beat China, Japan, Korea, all ranked above them. But, in CWG, it is hard to predict as they have not played Australia or European contenders," the 37-year-old Rasquinha said.
"Since Harendra Singh has taken over as coach of the women's team last year, the players have become physically strong. The girls have played well of late. If the women can win a medal at CWG, it will be a superb achievement," Rasquinha said.
Hopes on Hockey
- Former hockey Olympian Viren Rasquinha says it will be a superb achievement if Indian hockey women won a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast
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