Guru Sai Dutt on Coaching Prannoy, Srikanth: Targets, Trust & Tough Calls

• Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Guru Sai Dutt transitioned to coaching in 2022, now guiding contemporaries like HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth.
• Dutt emphasizes trust and support, crediting his mentor Pullela Gopichand for believing in his coaching ability and the strong bonds built with players.
• He manages senior players by acknowledging their past achievements and setting clear targets, such as the Asian Games for Prannoy and Srikanth.
• Dutt decided to coach after a career-ending ankle injury and COVID-19 made it impossible to perform at his best, with Gopichand offering him a path.
• Coaching senior players involves less mental guidance due to their experience, while with younger athletes, Dutt uses his own past experiences to mentor them and help avoid mistakes.

Why It Matters: Guru Sai Dutt discusses his coaching journey, balancing mentorship with firm guidance for top badminton players.