Tanisha Crasto’s collaboration with Ashwini Ponnappa has demonstrated significant potential in its inaugural year, and the young player firmly believes that the trajectory ahead is one of continued growth.
As of February 26, 2023, during the Senior Nationals in Pune, Tanisha Crasto and her mixed doubles partner, Ishaan Bhatnagar, were excelling, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Globally ranked 18th, the duo had been a prominent force in the senior circuit since 2021 and was a leading contender for a Paris Olympics slot in mixed doubles.
However, an unexpected turn of events occurred during a match against Hemanagendra Babu T-Kanika Kanwal, where Ishaan suffered a knee injury, prematurely concluding their campaign. This incident left Tanisha facing an unfamiliar challenge, as her regular partner Ishaan would be sidelined due to surgery and rehabilitation.
In the midst of this setback, Tanisha, who had experienced shifts in women’s doubles partnerships throughout 2022, found an unexpected opportunity. Veteran shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa, having recently concluded her long-term partnership, joined forces with Tanisha, creating a doubles alliance that defied a notable 14-year age gap.
In the short span of 11 months since their collaboration, the duo achieved notable milestones, securing their maiden title at the Abu Dhabi Super 100 in September and claiming a commendable silver at the Syed Modi International. Tanisha shared insights into their partnership, emphasizing the shared strengths that make them a formidable pair on the court.
The interview also delved into the personal dynamics between Tanisha and Ashwini, highlighting their shared interests and mutual respect both on and off the court. Tanisha expressed her admiration for Ashwini’s experience and welcomed the collaborative and equal partnership they share.
Discussing their progress and future aspirations, Tanisha emphasized their potential as a ‘deadly’ pair due to the complementary strengths each brings to the game. Despite the challenges faced, she sees their partnership as a unique and promising combination.
The conversation also touched upon their post-match discussions, analysis, and the positive experience of participating in the Asian Games, where they faced formidable opponents from China and garnered praise for their performance.
Looking ahead, Tanisha acknowledged the emergence of another women’s doubles pair in India as a positive development, viewing it as a healthy challenge rather than direct competition. She expressed her focus on qualifying for the Olympics in women’s doubles, recognizing the fairly good chance they have with the remaining qualification period.
In conclusion, Tanisha emphasized that despite the changes in partnerships, her commitment to performance and achieving significant milestones, especially in women’s doubles, remains unwavering. She believes that sustained success in tournaments will contribute to their qualification for the Olympics.
