Saina Nehwal during-2nd-match-at-Mumbai
The most amazing battle for glory in Indian Badminton League continues when the Hyderabad Hotshots take on Pune Pistons in Mumbai on 19th August. This was the first day in Mumbai Leg. It was a completely one sided game as Hyderabad Hotshots almost every match grabbing 5 points in all after winning the game with a score of 4-1. The extra one point was a bonus for them. After this match, they are on the top of the points table with maximum points i.e., 11. After this match, Pune Pistons must look at their strategy because before this match they were at the top of the table. But, this time everything went wrong for them. Starting from the very first game, i.e., Men’s Singles, they look very frail as Ajay Jayaram from Hyderabad Hotshots won both the sets with ease.
The next match was the much awaited match of the day. Yes, you must be guessing right. It was Saina Nehwal from Hyderabad Hotshots taking on Juliane Schenk from Pune Pistons. It was Juliane Schenk who leaded the game in its initial stages by winning the first set with a score of 17-21. But then, it was the turn of Indian ace star to turn things around as she won the next two rounds by beating Juliane Schenk with a score of 21-19 and 11-6. After getting a lead of 2-0 from first two games, Hyderabad Hotshots looked very confident and this was reflected with their performance in the next two games. They won both Men’s Doubles and Men’s Singles 2 with ease. The only game won by Pune Pistons was Mixed Doubles and that was the last match of the game. Ajay Jayaram was selected as the Vodafone Player of the tie. This was a home game for him and he said, “I am elated to perform in front of my home crowd and hoping to keep this form for my next game”.
Preview: Krrish Delhi Smashers v/s Mumbai Masters (2000 hrs)
This is going to be the final game in Mumbai Leg and is going to be a home game for Mumbai Masters. Krrish Delhi Smashers are coming with a win in their previous game and they will look to continue this form in this game as well. Coming to the points table, both the teams are sharing 4th position with 6 points each from their 2 games. In my opinion, Mumbai Masters look strong as off now. They will be definitely relying on Lee Chong Wei, who is currently world no. 1, for Men’s Singles. The other player to watch out for is Vladimir Ivanov from Mumbai Masters who has been Vodafone Player of the tie in both the previous games for Mumbai Masters. Krrish Delhi Smashers are considered very strong for Doubles category and they will be relying on Boon Heong Tan and Kien Keat Koo, who are currently world no. 2.