IBL: Youngsters to catch the eye

Pune Pistons’ Ashwini Ponnappa. (Getty Images)

Ashwini Ponnappa

If Pune Pistons made the semi-finals of the IBL, it was in large measure due to the solidity of the Joachim Fischer-Ashwini Ponnappa combination. Ashwini is well known for her hard hitting, but the Bangalore girl has also developed in other departments.

Against Pradnya Gadre and Shem Goh, for instance, Ashwini was all over the net, using the hairpin shot and the tap effectively, and outplayed her opposite number Gadre. Ashwini’s smash is a potent weapon, and is crucial in mixed doubles, for it gives the combination an edge. Her defence has also improved remarkably – with a good partner, she can aim for the biggest prizes in world badminton.