PBL 2018: Delhi Dashers vs Mumbai Rockets match preview, schedule and live telecast information

Having faltered twice in the final of the Premier Badminton League (PBL), the Mumbai Rockets will be going all out this time in search of their maiden title. The Rockets face the Delhi franchise in their opener at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi A.C. Indoor Stadium in Guwahati on Monday evening.

The Delhi Acers, who won the inaugural PBL title, have been rechristened as the Delhi Dashers this time and are looking pretty well-balanced. Needless to say, the Rockets will have quite a challenge on their hands if they want to make a winning start to their campaign in the third edition.

For the Rockets, the addition of the former World No. 1 Son Wan Ho has been a great move. Sameer Verma will be making a comeback from shoulder injury. If the Syed Modi International champion can find his form, it would be a great boost for the entire team.

They will be facing the 15th ranked Wong Wing Ki Vincent and Chinese ace, Tian Houwei, both of whom are pretty much capable of causing upsets. The Delhi team looks stronger in the women’s singles department, thanks to the presence of the former World No. 3 Sung Ji Hyun.

It is hard to pick one side in men’s doubles as both have competent pairs. The Russian pair of Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov, who is eighth in the latest world rankings, adorns the Delhi franchise. The Mumbai brigade is no slouch for they will have the services of Lee Yong Dae and Tan Boon Heong, both of whom are former World No. 1s and legends in their own right.

The newly-married Ashwini Ponnappa is likely not to feature in the Delhi team tonight. Arathi Sara Sunil should be fielded in mixed doubles in her absence.

Here is all the information you need to know

Tournament name: Premier Badminton League Season 3

Venue: Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi A.C. Indoor Stadium, Guwahati

Date: Monday, December 25, 2017

Time:

Delhi Dashers vs Mumbai Rockets at 7.30pm IST

Channel: Star Sports 1/Star Sports 1 HD

Livestream information: Star Sports Hotstar

The squads:

Delhi Dashers - Wong Wing Ki Vincent, Tian Houwei, RMV Gurusaidutt, Sung Ji Hyun, Shreyanshi Pardeshi, Vladimir Ivanov, Ivan Sozonov, Ashwini Ponnappa, Pranaav Jerry Chopra, Arathi Sara Sunil.

Mumbai Rockets - Son Wan Ho, Sameer Verma, Beiwen Zhang, Lee Yong Dae, Tan Boon Heong, Arjun MR, Tarun Kona, Gabriela Stoeva, Kuhoo Garg, Sanyam Shukla.