TEAM PREVIEW: Combination of Saina & Srikanth make the Warriors' squad a force to reckon with
AWADHE WARRIORS based out of Lucknow were the team that everyone closely looked at in the opening edition of Premier Badminton League. And they rightfully deserved all the attention as they had the star Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal in the team and they continue to have her for the second season too.
She was the crowd puller but due to injuries, she only played in the home legs. This time of the year, yet again she is nursing injuries but is expected to return to her full fitness by end of January. So one would eagerly wait for her to shine in PBL.
She is accompanied by youngster Rituparna Das whose chances of getting game time looks bleak but one can't completely write off the opportunity.
2016 has not been the best year for Saina as she was marred with injuries which took away a lot of game time from the former World No. 1. Meanwhile, Rituparana has two titles to her name in the year 2016 and it will be interesting to see her in action.
The Warriors' Men's singles campaign will be led by Kidambi Srikanth. He got the highest bid during the auction among Indian shuttlers. He along with Vincent Wong Wing Ki will handle the men's singles department with ease. Srikanth too will be coming out of injury and therefore needs to get his form back in order to help his team win the title.
Vincent too will have to up his game as his best performance at top level tournaments in 2016 came at Hong Kong where he reached the quarters and at Korea in which he was ousted in the semi-finals. If the two don't find form, it will be too difficult for the Warriors. Other shuttler in this category is Aditya Joshi who is unlikely to get game time unless if any shuttler gets injured.
In the doubles category, Warriors have experienced shuttlers in Bodin Issara and Markis Kido, accompanying them for mixed doubles is Savitree Amitrapai. Bodin and Markis have played in the first edition and are accustomed to the atmosphere, the only difference this time would be the points system.
The advantage Warriors hold in the doubles is that, Savitree plays alongside Bodin at international tournaments and therefore the pair is likely to gel well and get results for their team. The other shuttler in this category, Prajakata Sawant might not get any time amidst experienced shuttlers.
The change in points system would make the doubles matches even more exciting and thrilling.
Three best from Warriors are likely: women's singles- Saina; men's singles- Srikanth; mixed doubles- Bodin/Savitree.
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