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Xtra Time Web Desk: In a recent podcast, Saina Nehwal playfully suggested that even a cricketer like Jasprit Bumrah might struggle to handle her smashes. This light-hearted comment was seen as a subtle counter to a tweet by Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the young KKR talent, who had mocked Nehwal by saying she wouldn’t be able to handle a bouncer from Bumrah.

Raghuvanshi's tweet was subsequently deleted, and he later issued an apology.Nehwal, the bronze medallist from the London 2012 Olympics, has frequently voiced concerns over the disproportionate attention and resources allocated to cricket compared to other Indian sports.

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On Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, she emphasized that while cricket commands significant focus, other sports also deserve recognition and adequate facilities.Nehwal’s remarks highlight her frustration with the lack of support for sports like badminton. She argued that if badminton received the same level of infrastructure and resources as cricket, India could produce a higher caliber of athletes.

"If Jasprit Bumrah were to play badminton with me, maybe he wouldn't handle my smash. We shouldn't be pitting sports against each other within our own country. Every sport has its place and deserves respect. Proper facilities and support can help all sports flourish," Nehwal stated.

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By pointing out the imbalance in sports infrastructure, Nehwal calls for a more inclusive approach that values and supports a broader range of athletic disciplines, thereby enriching the nation's sporting culture.