'Take responsibility': Indian coach Prakash Padukone rips apart players after Lakshya Sen debacle

Indian coach Prakash Padukone has delivered a scathing critique of the players following Lakshya Sen's defeat in the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024. Padukone did not hold back his disappointment after India missed out on winning the bronze medal in Paris. He criticized the players, urging them to take responsibility for their performance.

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Prakash Padukone slams players for winning medals at Paris Olympics

Prakash Padukone emphasized the need for players to take responsibility for their performances, stating, "The government and federations have done their job. Players need to take responsibility and ask if they are doing enough. Same players have beaten these opponents in other tournaments. In the Olympics, we aren’t able to deliver."

"He played well. I am a little disappointed as he could not finish it. Yesterday also he was in a winning position in the first game, it could have made a difference yesterday itself. Today also, after winning the first, he was leading 8-3 in the second. He has always been a little uncomfortable playing on the faster side or playing with the wind. He needs to work a little more on that...He was low on confidence...There are a few areas on which we definitely need to work on...I am disappointed that we could not even win one medal in badminton...This time the government, SAI (Sports Authority of India), TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) everybody has done their bit," Padukone said.

Lakshya Sen, the 22-year-old Indian shuttler making his Olympic debut in Paris, missed a golden opportunity to make history by failing to secure the bronze medal. In a high-intensity clash at Porte de La Chapelle Arena, Sen lost to Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia with scores of 21-13, 16-21, 10-21.

Lakshya Sen's loss means India narrowly missed out on what would have been its fourth medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics, keeping its tally at three bronze medals. Had Lakshya Sen won the match, he would have become the first Indian men's player to win an Olympic medal in badminton, a historic achievement that eluded the nation this time.

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India’s badminton campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics faced significant setbacks earlier this week. PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, suffered a shock exit from her event, while the highly anticipated doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also bowed out unexpectedly. 

Adding to the disappointment, HS Prannoy's journey ended in the Round of 16 after being defeated by fellow Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen, who subsequently failed to secure a medal himself. These unexpected exits have added to the challenges faced by the Indian contingent at this year's Games.