PBL 2018: Rating each team in the Premier Badminton League and their chances

The stage is all set for the third season of the Premier Badminton League (PBL), with a blockbuster match between Saina Nehwal’s Awadhe Warriors and P.V. Sindhu’s Chennai Smashers opening the new edition in Guwahati on Saturday.

With the expansion of the league, in terms of prize money, teams and competition days, the cash-rich competition is expected to be bigger and better this year. The addition of Ahmedabad Smash Masters and North Eastern Warriors make it an eight-team affair battling out for the Rs. 3 crore winners’ purse.

As we enter the new season, we look at each of the teams and their marquee players.

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Ahmedabad Smash Masters 3/5

With World no. 1 Tai Tzu Ying and H.S. Prannoy in their ranks, Ahmedabad look stronger in the singles front. Tai Tzu has been on a roll this year with five Superseries titles while Prannoy’s sizzling performance this year saw him beat top names like Lee Chong Wei, Chen Long among others.

The Kerala-born shuttler’s unbeaten record at the PBL-2 also adds to his confidence. He will also have some performance pressure to justify his highest bid of Rs 62 lakh by his team. Moreover, the presence of Sourabh Verma will also add to their men’s singles armoury. The Hong duo of Lee Cheuk and Lee Chung Hei can bring them some wins in doubles too. Overall, the Smash Masters will be a team to watch out for this season.

North Eastern Warriors 2/5

Coached by former Indian shuttler Nikhil Kanetkar, debutants North Eastern Warriors don’t have too many big names but ones who can make an impact. The Warriors will have World no. 11 Wong Tzu Wei and 13th ranked Ajay Jayaram at the helm. Another important name in the team is Michelle Li who is capable of surprising her opponents with her attacking game.

The team looked stronger in men’s doubles with the Korean men’s doubles combo of Shin Baek Cheol and Kim Gi Jung expected to deliver some wins. Besides, youngsters Ruthvika Shivani Gadde, Pratul Joshi and Chirag Shetty would be eager to make a mark.

Saina Nehwal will play for the Awadhe Warriors

Awadhe Warriors 5/5

They are one of the most consistent teams, who have reached the knockout stage every season. With the likes of Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth to lead from the front, Awadhe look the strongest team this season on paper and have the capability to reach the championship final. Not only this, the team have bought Parupalli Kashyap to complement Srikanth, who had a dazzling season with four Superseries titles.

The presence of doubles stars like Hendra Setiawan, Chin Chung, Tang Chung Man and Christina Pedersen make Awadhe look formidable in all departments. The team surely have the capability to pack a punch and they would be eager to break the semi-final jinx and go further this time.

Bengaluru Blasters 3/5

The Blasters will have a lot to prove this season. Despite having star names in last few seasons, they have not been able to produce the magic so far. And with World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen in their ranks now, the side can expect a change of fortunes this time around.

Scot Kristy Gilmour and homegirl Rituparna Das will be taking care of the women’s singles, while the pair of Kim Sa Ran and Mattias Boe will be expected to produce some spectacular result in doubles.

PV Sindhu will turn out for the Chennai Smashers again

Mumbai Rockets 2/5

One of the most exciting teams and the losing finalists last season, the Rockets will look to go a step further. The duo of Son Wan Ho and Sameer Verma will be expected to deliver what Prannoy and Jayaram brought to the team last season. They will be at their best to tame the challenges from Axelsen or Srikanth.

In the women’s front, they have Beiwen Zhang who could turn out to be the dark horse during the season. The pair of Korean legends Lee Dong Dae and Tan Boon Heong will play a crucial role in the team’s success.

Chennai Smashers 3/5

One of the most balanced sides this season, Smashers will be led by Olympic and World Championship silver medallist P.V. Sindhu yet again. Fresh from her runners-up finish at the Dubai Superseries Finals, Sindhu will be raring to go for the trophy once again. Frenchman Brice Leverdez and unpredictable Tanangsak Saemsomboonsuk will be under some pressure to overcome the challenge posed by other star-studded teams.

In mixed doubles, reigning European champion Chris and Gabrielle Adcock are expected to bring cheers to the side. The team will also have young Daniel Farid and Aditya Joshi in their ranks.

Marin will play for the Hyderabad Hunters

Hyderabad Hunters 4/5

Last year’s semi-finalist, the Hunters would be eager to go the distance this time. The Fernando Rivas-coached team have retained the reigning Olympic champion Carolina Marin, whose presence in the team is already a boost to her teammates that includes B. Sai Praneeth, Rasika Raje and 17-year-old Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.

Besides, Lee Hyun II will bring a lot of experience to the side. Former Olympic and World Champion Markis Kido will be another star name in the side and is expected to weave some magic in mixed doubles with partner Pia Zebadiah. Overall, they look a decent side.

Delhi Dashers 3/5

The Dashers have remained unlucky so far and will be eager to reach at least the semi-finals. They look an even side this time with China’s Tian Houwei and Korean Sung Ji Hyun leading from the front. The presence of Wong Wing Ki Vincent and R.M.V. Gurusaidutt will add to their formidable singles department.

Russian heavyweights Ivan Sozonov and Vladimir Ivanov will be responsible for the men’s doubles, while Ashwini Ponnappa and Ivanov are expected to pair up for mixed doubles. Should they click together, they can turn out to be a lethal pair posing threat to other teams.