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.