IBL: Youngsters to catch the eye

Hyderabad Hotshots player Ajay Jayaram. (Getty Images)

Ajay Jayaram

Jayaram’s biggest problem has been his lack of consistency. The Bangalore-based shuttler is an intelligent sort of player and has a nice mix of abilities, but frequently fails to execute the basics, and tends to get erratic.

Jayaram began the IBL with a characteristically erratic performance against Srikanth, but his form did not desert him. He was sublime in his straight-sets destruction of Tien Minh at Mumbai, and he did trouble Lee Chong Wei at Pune.

About the only sore point was his listless performance against Jan O Jorgensen in the final league game against Banga Beats, but the next day, he again turned on the show against Tien Minh in the semi-final against Pune Pistons.

If he can maintain that level, he can break into the top-ten. Time will tell if the IBL will mark a turning point in his self-confidence.