Tokyo: India's search for the second medal aṭ the Tokyo Olympics continues. After Mirabai Chanu's silver medal on the second day of the Games, India still has nothing to show. On Wednesday, some of the top Indian athletes will compete. India's chances in Tokyo will depend on them.
Let's find out the athletes on whom we all should keep an eye on Day 6, July 28.
PV Sindhu - Badminton
Women's singles specialist PV Sindhu has been in outstanding form. She defeated Ksenia Polikarpova 21-7, 21-10 to warm herself up for the knockouts. However, before she advances to the next round, she will face Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong.
Also Read: Tokyo Olympics Day 6 India schedule: Events, Times, Fixtures, Athletes
Given their rankings, World No. 7 Sindhu is favourite against World No. 34 Ngan Yi. As Rio Olympics silver medallist Sindhu will be in action on Wednesday morning, all eyes will be on her before the knockout stage.
Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh - Rowing
On Sunday when India had a disappointing day, the country's only rowing pair of Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh brought good news qualifying for the semifinal in the repêchage race with a timing of 6:51.36. They had finished third at the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls at the Tokyo Olympics.
Now, we have to see whether they can make it to the final on Wednesday.
Deepika Kumari - Archery
Indian archers at the Tokyo Olympics could not do anything special. Most of them were eliminated. Now, the hope lies with World No. 1 Deepika Kumari.
On Wednesday, she will compete in the round of 32. Given her recent performance in Paris where she won three gold, she is expected to make it to the pre-quarterfinal.
Pooja Rani - Boxing
The middleweight category (75kg) boxer will take on Ichrak Chaib of Algeria in the round of 16 bout. The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallist is expected to surpass the Chaib hurdle and progress to the quarterfinals.
She is one of the strongest medal contenders for India. Reaching quarters will take her a step closer to the medal in Tokyo Olympics.
B Sai Praneeth - Badminton
The Hyderabadi shuttler was regarded as the dark horse before the Olympics, but his defeat to World No. 46 Misha Zilberman in straight games came as a surprise.
Now on Wednesday, he will face Mark Caljouw of the Netherlands. Though Caljouw is ranked at below 29, his win against Zilberman made him the favourite against Praneeth.
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Praneeth's chances of making it to the quarters now hang on the group equation. If he wants to make it to the knockout stage, he has to beat the Dutch shuttler by straight games.
