Speed and power: Coach Irwansyah's formula for PV Sindhu's comeback

Delhi: Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama keeps a tiny notebook handy every time his ward plays a match. At the India Open Super 750 on Friday, he packed the book with notes with PV Sindhu losing to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in quarter-final.

While the loss in front of home fans was unfortunate, it showed glimpses of how Irwansyah is moulding the former world champion's game. Sindhu was uncomfortable in the first game when Tunjung was using slices and drops but came back all attacking in the second game to trouble Tunjung with her powerful shots and sustained aggression.

"It was a good game but Sindhu was a bit unlucky. She got uncomfortable in the first game but came back well in the second game," Irwansyah explained to The Bridge, in an exclusive interaction after the match.

Sindhu has frequently changed coaches since her split with Korean coach Park Tae-Sang. She trained under Malaysian Hafiz Hashim and thereafter with Indonesian legend Agus Dwi Santoso along with Prakash Padukone.

Subsequently, she was guided by the duo of Anup Sridhar and Korean Lee Hyun-il till December.

Irwansyah has joined the list now and he is looking to employ some minor tweaks to Sindhu's game which will help her get back to her older self.

Working on power and speed

"I want Sindhu to play with speed and power," Irwansyah said.

"My goal is to bring Sindhu back to the elite level she is used to. We have been training for just only week but the partnership looks good to me," said the Indonesian.

At the India Open, there was visible change in Sindhu's approach. She played powerful strokes and also attacked more than she has usually done in the past couple of years.

"I want her to play with speed and power and that is what I am working on. I don't want her to play because she is an attacking player. Despite just one week, I can see that she can execute the changes I am suggesting but it will take some time," said Irwansyah.

In the first match of the India Open against Shuo Yun Sung of Chinese Taipei, Sindhu increased the tempo in the decider to clinch the match.

"I am used to coaching men's singles. I won’t find it easy [trying] to make her like a men’s singles player but that is the direction I want to work towards," said Irwansyah.

When asked about Sindhu's age, Irwansyah said, "Even though her age is 29, Sindhu is extremely disciplined and hard-working."

"There are many male shuttlers who have done well after 30. Some younger players aren’t disciplined. I don’t think that younger players will be fitter than someone like Sindhu," said the Indonesian coach.

Irwansyah to train Indian group

Apart from coaching PV Sindhu, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has hired Irwansyah to train a bunch of Indian women shuttlers who are doing well at the International level.

"I think we want to create an environment where everyone is pushing each other. I want that to happen so everyone can push each other and that will increase the overall improvement of all the players," said the Indonesian about his role as coach of the women's singles team.

When asked about his goals in India, Irwansyah concluded with a attribution to power-play.

"I believe that every player needs to have speed and power. That is what I want to do here in India. I want to get players to be faster and more attacking. That is what I will try to do."