IBL inaugural season preview – Part 1: Hyderabad Hotshots, Awadhe Warriors, Banga Beats

PV Sindhu

2. Awadhe Warriors

Key facts:

Owners: Sahara India Pariwar – A diversified business house that has interests in finance, infrastructure & housing, media & entertainment, and many other domains. Sahara is a major promoter of sports in the country, being main sponsor of Indian cricket team and Indian hockey team. They own the Pune Warriors team in the IPL and also have a stake in Force India F1.

Chief Coach: Muhammad Hafiz Hashim - Former Olympian and All England Open champion

Host Stadium: Babu Banarsi Das UP Badminton Academy (BBD UPBA)

Icon Player: PV Sindhu – Bronze medallist at the 2013 BWF World Championships

Lucknow has been a traditional centre for nurturing badminton talent. The team will look to seek inspiration from one of India’s all-time greats, the late Syed Modi. Modi honed his badminton skills at Lucknow, and went to win gold medal in men’s singles at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

Sahara India Pariwar, which is headquartered in Lucknow, has promoted sports actively in India and owning a team based in its hometown will be an added incentive for them to do well in the competition.

Team Composition

Fresh from her bronze medal performance at the World Championships, PV Sindhu will lead the team as its icon player, representing the team in women’s singles. Malaysian Weng Fei Chong (world number 15) and Indians Gurusai Dutt and K Srikanth will be vying to represent the team in the two men’s singles matches.

The men’s doubles team looks formidable in the team of Markis Kido and Mathias Boe. Representing the team in the mixed doubles will be the team of Nandagopal and K Maneesha. The duo were winners at the Maldives International.

Thai Taerattanachai and Indian youngster Ruthvika Shivani will provide good alternate/backup options to the team.

Strengths: Women’s Singles and Men’s Doubles

PV Sindhu will look to continue her excellent form in the tournament; and the Awadhe Warriors will expect solid performances from the teenage sensation.

The team’s strength is in its men’s doubles team. Markis Kido is world number 4 in the format, and the recent signing of former world number 1 Mathias Boe makes the team a deadly one.

Analysis of Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles

In the men’s singles department, the team has Weng Fei Chong, Gurusai Dutt and Srikanth. While none of them is a world beater, each is an efficient player who can be expected to give his best if selected to play. Coach Hashim will have to decide which two out of the three plays in the men’s singles. Not having a top men’s singles player might backfire for the Lucknow team as many other teams boast big names in the format.

The team of Nandagopal and Maneesha will have advantage of having played together before in the mixed doubles format. Their victory at Maldives will be a boost to their confidence and they will be keen to put up a good show in the IBL.

Tournament schedule:

vs Hyderabad Hotshots – August 15

vs Banga Beats – August 18

vs Krrish Delhi Smashers – August 22

vs Mumbai Masters – August 24

vs Pune Pistons - August 26

Conclusion

Though the Awadhe Warriors can be only considered as dark horses in the tournament, they are very capable of springing up a surprise or two. Chances of reaching the semifinal stage are low, but an inspired show could lift the team into the knockouts.