Kerala’s Diju, who has found recent international success in mixed doubles with Jwala Gutta, has been devoid of a regular, dependable partner for a while now. “There is definitely a gap as far as doubles in India go at the moment. The older generation is on a downslide, the newer crop is yet to mature,” he said, speaking to The Indian Express. Diju says his own combination with Sridhar was just a one-off deal. “I’ve spoken to Thomas Kurien and we’re planning to team up soon,” he says.

Kurien, who played with Joy T Anthony in the nationals, went out in the quarters to the young and fairly inexperienced pair of Tarun K and Arun Vishnu. “It’s unfortunate that they have not managed to find Diju a regular partner for a good two years now,” D’Sa says.

Tarun and Vishnu made the Indore final and fizzled out 21-15 21-16, but they have had quarter-final appearances in the Bahrain International and the Sweden International this season. Aged 19 and 20 respectively, they teamed up only about a year back and still need to figure each other out. “We still have to sort out seamless on-court communication, but we’re hopeful of getting good international results in a couple of years,” says Tarun.

Rupesh insists continued international exposure is the only way forward. “They need more and more tournaments. Experience is the only way to get a successful doubles partnership going,” he says.