Thailand Open Badminton 2021: Kidambi Srikanth suffers unfortunate calf muscle injury

In an unprecedented move, Indian badminton star Kidambi Srikanth's opponent Lee Zii Jia has been handed a walkover in Thailand Open Badminton 2021 competition on Thursday. ace Indian shuttler had defeated Indian compatriot Sourabh Verma in first round and was set to face Malaysian Badminton star Lee Zii Jia. reason for walkover is w out in open.

Also Read | Thailand Open badminton live stream: Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth in action on Day 3

Thailand Open Badminton 2021: Kidambi Srikanth defeats Sourabh Verma in first round 

Srikanth was off to a scintillating start in  competition with a convincing victory against Verma in first round. Verma failed to survive tactical genius of Srikanth, who left for his opponent to make his way back into game. Thus Verma ended up losing out game 21-12, 21-11 in two consecutive sets.

Srikanth's second-round opponent Lee Zii Jia made his way past first round after a brilliant opening clash against HS Prany.  Malaysian shuttler kcked out Prany, winning game 21-13, 14-21, 8-21 in three sets. Jia and Srikanth were to clash off on Thursday but Malaysian has been handed a walkover into next round.

Also Read | Thailand Open: Kidambi Srikanth made to undergo 4 COVID tests; shares ims of se bleed

Kidambi Srikanth injury: Shuttler sustains calf muscle pull 

Srikanth took to Twitter to confirm that he had to pull out of  tournament after he sustained a right calf muscle pull. However, he hopes to be fit by next week for next round of Thailand leg. Ironically, it was revealed that shuttler suffered from se bleeding on Tuesday following mandatory PCR test.  Badminton World Federation (BWF) released an official statement to provide its version of incident.

" athlete had been swabbed three times earlier with most recent one possibly causing irritation and fragility of capillaries. refore, when swab was repeated on Tuesday, and factoring in athlete’s tense nature, position of stick in nasal pass was misaligned, which caused slight bleeding ticed from tip of swab." 

statement also claimed re was bleeding at time of PCR test, but blood was reported by or Indian participants at least three to five minutes later. "It is t kwn wher athlete had blown his se or stuck tissue up his strils which could have caused more blood vessels to rupture."

Also Read | PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth prepare for Thailand Open in January 2021

Thailand Open Badminton live stream 

 Thailand Open Badminton live stream is being provided on Disney+ Hotstar VIP. Besides, Star Sports Network has been mandated with tournament's official broadcast in India. games will be broadcasted live on Star Sports 3 and Star Sports 2 HD TV channels.

Also Read | Parupalli Kashyap sheds light on Saina Nehwal Covid-19 positive case at Thailand Open 2021

Im courtesy: Kidambi Srikanth Instagram