5 reasons to watch Premier Badminton League

Modified Dec 20, 2016 11:44 IST

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: A general view of the court during the final of the womens doubles between Line Damkjaer Kruse and Marie Roepke of Denmark (R) against Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark (L) during Day 6 of the London Badminton Grand Prix at The Copper Box on October 6, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) — *The new format promises to be more exciting*

#2 Saina Nehwal’s chance to announce her return to top form

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Saina Nehwal of India plays a shot as she competes in 2016 Australian Badminton Open quarterfinal match against Ratchanok Intanon of Thialand at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on June 10, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) — *Saina Nehwal looks to return to top form*

India’s medal hopes from badminton at the Rio Olympics were pinned on Saina Nehwal, especially after her triumph at the Australian Open Superseries in June. However, it did not exactly turn out how one would have expected. Saina suffered a serious knee injury that ended her hopes of emulating the bronze at the London Olympics in 2012.

While India still went on to win a medal at the Olympics, courtesy PV Sindhu, Saina was left in the background. Her injury required a subsequent surgery that forced her out of the court for three months.

Nonetheless, she has made a successful recovery from the injury and returned to court at the China Open. A couple of quarter-final appearances since her return does not exactly suit a player of her stature and fans will be hoping that she will return to her very best at the soonest.

Naturally, the upcoming PBL could be her chosen stage to regain some much-needed match fitness just before the new season commences. Who knows, maybe Saina will steal the show once more at the PBL just like she did three years back.

Edited by Staff Editor