IBL Match Preview: Pune Pistons vs Krrish Delhi Smashers

The Indian Badminton League (IBL) trophy

The Indian Badminton League is all set to go ahead on 14 August 2013, with Pune Pistons facing Krrish Delhi Smashers at the DDA Badminton and Squash stadium in New Delhi.

The league has six franchises competing for the trophy over a fortnight.

PUNE PISTONS:

Strength:

Pune Pistons are the powerhouses when it comes to singles boasting the likes of men’s world number 5 Tien Minh Nguyen and women’s world No.2 Juliane Schenk in their ranks.

The mixed doubles pairing of Ashwini Ponnappa and Joachim Fisher Nielsen make for an experienced pairing.

Weakness:

Pune might fall short in doubles as they do not have an inform doubles pairing. As Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas are past their prime, the team management might pair world No.7 Tan Wee Kiong with youngster Arun Vishnu. However, they would be facing world number 2 Boon Hoeng Tan and Kien Keat Koo tomorrow. So Pune Pistons are expected to drop points here.

Player to watch out for: Juliane Schenk – The world No.2 might be one of the star attractions to watch out for this IBL.

KRRISH DELHI SMASHERS:

Strength:

Delhi possesses world’s number two pair of Boon Hoeng Tan and Kien Keat Koo in Men’s doubles and the team is guaranteed of points at least in this match as they will be up against a below par doubles pairing from Pune. Although Jwala Gutta and V Diju are not an imposing combination in mixed doubles but they have played together in the past which would help them immensely. Playing a non-regular combination in today’s match might help their cause.

Weakness:

With the format consisting of two singles matches, one wonders if Delhi have left a bit too much to catch up. Their singles players Daren Liew, HS Prannoy and Sai Praneeth would find it extremely difficult to deliver a result and against Tien Minh Nguyen of Pune it would be considered a miracle even if they manage to put up some fight.

Player to watch out for: Daren Liew – A late addition to the IBL after the withdrawal of Wong Wing Ki, this Malaysian is very capable of putting off an upset or two against more fancied opponents

Probably Line-up:

Men’s Singles 1: Tien Minh Nguyen(PP) vs HS Prannoy(DS)

Men’s Singles 2: Sourabh Varma(PP) vs Daren Liew(DS)

Women’s Singles: Juliane Schenk(PP) vs Nichaon Jindapon(DS)

Men’s Doubles: Wee Kiong Tan/Arun Vishnu(PP) vs Boon Hoeng Tan/Kien Keat Koo(DS)

Mixed Doubles: Joachim Fisher/Ashwini Ponnappa(PP) vs V.Diju/Jwala Gutta(DS)

MATCH PREDICTIONS: Pune Pistons to win this one 3-2 against the Krrish Delhi Smashers.