This Is The Reason Herry IP Pairs Kevin With Bagas In The Men's Doubles Of The 2022 Thomas Cup

Bagas Maulana (Instagram @b.maulana7)

JAKARTA - A number of Indonesian representatives appeared in the second match of the 2022 Thomas Cup at the Impact Arena on Monday night. There is a change from the men's doubles sector.

Coach Herry Iman Pierngadi chose to use a different formation where Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, who usually plays in a duet with Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, now appears with Bagas Maulana.

Herry IP's decision to pair Kevin/Bagas turned out to have a reason. Apart from Marcus, who was forced to be absent due to the injury recovery process, this duo is also the realization of the coach's brilliant tactics.

The first reason Harry IP chose Kevin/Bagas to play in the men's doubles sector was so that they could adapt to the field. The coach wants all the doubles players he brings to feel the conditions on the pitch.

This, according to Herry, is very important as their capital and preparation when the tournament enters a more crucial phase.

"During training and matches at the Impact Arena, the wind conditions were different. Yesterday during practice, the air conditioning was not fully activated. So players need and must be able to adapt to the wind when competing. Therefore, all players need to compete," said Herry, quoted from PBSI.

"Therefore, the seven players that I brought with me I had to play all of them. So that they could quickly adapt and feel the atmosphere of the arena well," he said.

Besides that, the difference in game characters between Kevin and Bagas is also another reason Herry IP juxtaposes the two. Kevin, who has a dominant attacking character up front, is considered suitable for pairing with Bagas, who has a hard smash to guard the back sector.

"Kevin/Bagas also often practice together. Kevin playing up front as a playmaker needs to be supported by killer-type players from the back line and that's owned by Bagas," Herry IP explained.

Apart from these two things, the main reason the coach fielded Kevin/Bagas in the men's doubles sector was as an attempt to outwit the opponent. Because for him, by randomizing the pattern of the player's duet, Indonesia's strategy is not easily read by opponents.

"By randomizing, our strength will not be easily read by the opponent. In addition, we can also have a lot of compositions and pair formations. This will also make the opponent more confused every time they meet us," concluded Herry IP.