IBL Finals: Saina-Sindhu clash could determine the winner

A high voltage final awaits the fans when the Hyderabad Hotshots clash against the Awadhe Warriors at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai. The top two teams in the league in terms of points have managed to underline their prominence by reaching the finals of the inaugural edition of the Indian Badminton League.

Interestingly, the Hotshots and Warriors had begun their campaign against each other on Independence day on the second day of the league. It took two years for Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu to play each other but are all set to meet for a second time inside three weeks when they clash on Saturday. In effect, it could turn out to be the match that determines the first ever winner of the richest league in badminton.

While the Hotshots took off with a victory over the Warriors, the Lucknow team took time to warm up and work their way back into the tournament. Saina faced a severe test in the first game, before she pulled away from Sindhu to register a comfortable 21-19, 21-8 victory over the teenager.

Her point proved vital in the end as the Hotshots pulled off a narrow 3-2 verdict over the Warriors. The Hotshots also registered victories over Mumbai Masters and Pune Pistons to top the table. Even though Hyderabad lost 2-3 to the Beats in their final league match, they proved too strong for the Pistons who were thumped 3-0 in the semis by the home team.

In stark contrast, the Warriors stumbled to a 1-4 defeat at the hands of the Banga Beats to find themselves in a deep hole after two matches. But the Warriors were energised by the resurgence of Sindhu, the power of Srikanth Kidambi and the court chemistry between Markis Kido and Mathias Boe. The Warriors bounced back with vigour to win three in a row and force their way into the semi-finals.

Playing the Mumbai Masters in the last four, Sindhu repeated her heroics of the league phase to register her second win over Tine Baun to pave the path for a narrow 3-2 victory. But it also took double duty from Markis Kido who won two matches – the men’s doubles and the mixed doubles matches to help the Lucknow team reach the finals.

The stage is now set for a thrilling finale between the Hotshots and the Warriors, two well balanced teams with equal strength in singles and doubles. In this feature, we will look at what might determine the winner of the swirling trophy and a cheque for Rs. 3.5crores.

Singles

Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, the 22 year old from Thailand and Ajay Jayaram, the 25 year old from Mumbai will represent the Hotshots. The Indian has been a revelation in the IBL, having beaten both world no 5 Tien Minh Nguyen without dropping a game. In fact, he has beaten Nguyen twice, including that victory in the semis. Jayaram also took a game off Lee Chong Wei before succumbing in the third game. He lost to Srikanth in their first match of the tournament. Against Jan Jorgensen, many believed Jayaram simply tanked to save himself for the semis on the next day.

It will be interesting to see if the teams are willing to mix it up on Saturday, changing the combinations from the first match, by pitching Srikanth against Tanongsak and Gurusaidutt against Jayaram. The world No.20 has a 2-1 advantage over Jayaram, but the two haven’t played each other since the French Open in 2011. Jayaram had beaten Gurusaidutt in that last encounter.

On the other hand, Gurusaidutt has lost each of his three matches against Tanongsak including the qualification match at the All England earlier this year. The Thai star has entertained spectators with his lightning speed and intelligent court craft. Tanongsak had also beaten RMV Gurusai Dutt in the previous encounter between the two teams a fortnight ago.

The Warriors will also remember that Srikanth had beaten Jayaram at the Syed Modi International last year, in the only meeting of their careers so far. It was at the same tournament that Srikanth surrendered to Tanongsak in the next round, in their only meeting on the circuit. The Warriors will derive a big advantage if they can clinch one of the two points from the men’s singles matches.

But the contest that is truly occupying mind space is the second meeting in three weeks between the queen of Indian badminton and the apparent crown princess. The teenager has impressed fans with stellar performances against Juliane Schenk and Tine Baun, after the early setbacks against Saina and Carolina Marin. But Sindhu was outplayed by her experienced senior after she held court for the early part of the first game in that duel on the second day of the league.

Meanwhile, Saina has a spotless record in the league, having won each of her league matches. Considering the importance of the contest and the winning streak of Saina, one would have to concede that the Haryanvi retains the edge for Saturday. Besides, Saina was able to control the game in their first meeting by repeatedly drawing Sindhu to the net, where her height is sometimes a disadvantage.

For Sindhu, a lot will depend on her ability to push the shuttle behind Saina on her backhand side. If she could do it consistently, it could create the opening necessary for her to smash into the forehand court. If the Warriors win the first singles, it could liberate Sindhu and the situation could turn dangerous for Saina and the Hotshots. On the other hand, if the Hotshots nick the first point, Sindhu could come under pressure and find it difficult to cope up with Saina.

Either ways, the winner of this contest could prove a decisive factor in the final outcome.

Doubles

Markis Kido has been a sensational success all through the tournament. He provides a degree of comfort to the Warriors. Kido has combined with Mathias Boe to play a key role mid way through the tie and provide his team a point when they needed it the most. The Indonesian doubles specialist has also been a runaway success in the company of his sister, Pia Bernadeth allowing Warriors to win ties even when they had lost two of their three singles matches.

Kido and Boe had combined to give Warriors a point in New Delhi, where they defeated the formidable pairing of Goh Shem and Lim Khim Wah of the Hotshots. They will be expected to repeat their effort in order to give Warriors any hope of beating the team from Hyderabad.

The final piece of the puzzle may only fall in place on Saturday. Will the Hotshots repeat their lineup of the semi-final? Saina was on the card to play alongside Goh in the mixed doubles event, but Pune folded early making the fourth and fifth matches redundant on Wednesday. Pradenya Gadre and Tarun Kona have given everything they got in the matches so far, but Hotshots are clearly not confident about their ability to win the point.

With plenty at stake on the Saturday, it is likely that Hyderabad might once again consider their options carefully before inking the final team list. Pack a little dinner and enjoy it with the family even as you watch the fast and furious flight of the shuttle. The IBL final promises to go all the way to the wire.