IBL inaugural season preview – Part 2: Mumbai Masters, Pune Pistons, Krrish Delhi Smashers

Jwala Gutta of Krrish Delhi Smashers

6. Krrish Delhi Smashers

Boasting of a rich legacy in the sport, Delhi’s badminton courts have been the place where many Indian internationals have honed their skills. The city is home to Dinesh Khanna, Asian Games gold medallist, Madhumita Bisht, who has won bronze at the Asiad, and several other players.

Key facts:

Owners: Krrish Group – Business conglomerate with presence in field of distillery, breweries, construction and real estate sectors.

Chief Coach: Rashid Sidek - Former world number 1 Malaysian player

Host Stadium: DDA Badminton & Squash Stadium – Siri Fort

Icon Player: Jwala Gutta – Bronze medallist in women’s doubles at 2011 BWF World Championship; Gold medallist in women’s doubles in 2010 Commonwealth Games

Team Composition

After opting to sign Jwala Gutta as their icon player, the Smashers shrewdly added V Diju (Gutta’s former mixed doubles partner) to the team as well. Wing Ki Wong was signed to be the team’s main men’s singles player, but an injury meant he had to withdraw and the team replaced him with Malaysian Daren Liew. Sai Praneeth is likely to be the other men’s singles representative, while young Thai Nichaon Jindapon will play the women’s singles. The Malaysian duo of Tan Boon Heong and Koo Kien Keat will form the men’s doubles team. The Indian contingent of Arundhati Panthawane, HS Prannoy and Prajakta Sawant complete the team.

Strengths: Men’s and Mixed Doubles

The world number 2 pair of Heong and Keat is one of the strongest men’s doubles teams in the competition, and with them being a regular pair, they will know each other’s game and should complement each other very well.

The Diju-Gutta parternship should do well in mixed doubles, with the duo having played together with reasonable success before.

Analysis of Men’s and Women’s Singles

The team will miss Wing Ki Wong, though Liew is a good replacement signing. The other men’s singles player, Sai Praneeth, has recorded some victories over top players, and will back himself to beat them again in the tournament.

Thai Jindapon might be seen as a weak link in the team, though she’s been doing well off and is currently enjoying her highest ever world ranking.

Tournament schedule:

vs Pune Pistons - August 14

vs Hyderabad Hotshots – August 17

vs Mumbai Masters – August 20

vs Awadhe Warriors – August 22

vs Banga Beats – August 25

Conclusion

Wing Ki Wong’s absence will surely be felt and might impact the team’s quest for a spot in the knockout stage. A lot now depends on the doubles teams (both men and mixed), as they will need to win almost all their matches for the team to progress to the semi-finals.

The team is still well balanced and capable of beating anyone on their day. An inspired show from the players will take them to the later stages of the IBL.