Sourabh Verma won’t be defending his title at the senior national championships as he has still not regained match fitness following an ankle injury.

Verma, 24, last played during the Japan Open Superseries in September where he was beaten in the first round by the legendary Lin Dan in three games. He missed two Superseries – Denmark and France – after that.

“The ankle is fine now but I am not playing the Nationals this time because I started playing on court only a few days back,” Verma said.

Verma will now aim to be back playing for the China Open Superseries Premier, which starts on November 14. The world No 41 has secured an entry into the main draw and will be taking on France’s Brice Leverdez in the first round.

Verma has had a tough year on the international circuit, with his best performances being quarter-final finishes at the Syed Modi International and New Zealand Grands Prix Golds. He has not managed to get past the round of 16 in five Superseries he has competed in this year.