Badminton: Kidambi Srikanth set to be world number 1
India's badminton sensation Kidambi Srikanth is set to become the new world number 1 on Thursday. The shuttler will replace Denmark's Viktor Axelsen as the top player in the Badminton World Federation rankings. According to reports, Axelsen is set to lose at least 1660 points for failing to defend the Malaysian Open title. That in turn will see Srikanth rise to number 1 spot.
The in-form player won four Super Series honours in 2017. He clinched the Australia, Denmark, Indonesia and France Super Series titles. He secured the number two rank last year in November. Alexsen's points loss means Srikanth will top the summit with 76,895 points.
Srikanth's journey to the top is one of the biggest success stories in the world of badminton and gives hope to many others. He becomes only the first Indian male player to achieve this feat in in modern ranking era In women's badminton, Saina Nehwal had become world number 1 in March, 2015 and is the only Indian player to reach the summit.
At the ongoing 21st Commonwealth Games, the shuttler beat Malaysian legend Lee Chong Wei in the mixed team event singles match. India won the gold medal encounter against Malaysia 3-1 and a lot of credit goes to Srikanth for tilting the tie in India's favour.
