“Manu Bhaker, time to remember the password” - Netizens troll PV Sindhu after Round of 16 exit at Paris 2024 Olympics
India’s ace badminton player PV Sindhu crashed out of the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics after losing to He Bing Jiao of China by 21-19, 21-14 in the Round of 16 clash on Thursday. Following this loss, two-time Olympic medalist Sindhu’s Paris 2024 campaign comes to an end.
Following the heartbreaking loss, netizens took to social media to troll the shuttler, who failed to take her chances at crucial moments in the game against her sixth-seeded opponent, Bing Jiao. One fan sarcastically asked pistol shooter Manu Bhaker to reactivate the fake account that she had earlier used to defend Sindhu from online hate comments.
“.@/realmanubhaker time to remember the password of that account,” one fan said.
Another fan criticized the alleged ‘overhype’ surrounding the Indian contingent, writing:
“Told ya!! We need to stop overhyping our players & getting overconfident bcz the truth is whether it's cricket or any other game we choke on big stages!!”
One fan aimed his criticism towards badminton player Saina Nehwal, who had earlier complained that cricket hogs all the attention in India. The fan wrote:
“Saina Nehwal was barking why cricket gets all the hype. From Ponappa-Crasto to PV Sindhu, absolute pathetic display of badminton by the women, lost one sidedly. sorry but if you won't perform no one will support.”
The criticisms towards PV Sindhu continued, with another fan saying:
“PV Sindhu was not good. She is definitely deadlier than her opponent, but I think it's the mental barrier for her it's happening again and again.”
“Yet another disappointing loss. The day that began with so much promise with Swapnil Kusale’s bronze, ends on a terribly sour note with the loss of PV Sindhu,” one fan said.
However, not all fan troleed Sindhu, some share messages of support.
"PV Sindhu will be remembered by those who truly care as a 3 time Olympian who had a podium finish in 2 of those! A very rare feat! We should cherish and celebrate her run. Not any other way! Tough luck Champion!" one fan said.
PV Sindhu fails to complete Olympic ‘hat trick’ after disappointing loss against He Bing Jiao
PV Sindhu had a chance to create Olympic history if she had secured a podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The shuttler had previously won a silver medal in the Rio 2016 Olympics and a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. However, her hopes of completing an unprecedented hattrick of Olympic medals came crashing down when she faced He Bing Jiao, who is ranked ninth in the world.
Bing Jiao started the game in complete control, quickly establishing a large lead with some intelligent play. However, Sindhu showed her big-game mettle as she clawed back to settle the score at 19-19. Despite this effort, Bing Jiao proved too quick for the Indian shuttler and she won the first game 21-19.
The second game, which was a must-win one for Sindhu, did not go according to the plan. Bing Jiao surged ahead to a 5-13 lead at one point. Despite Sindhu trying her best to win the odd points here and there, she could not overcome the Chinese player, who won the game and match by 14-21 to advance to the next stage.