DEFENDING CHAMPIONS, Chennai Smashers once again look like a strong team and will want to bag that title into their kitty. Fans in Chennai will once again witness the best shuttlers in action with the likes of PV Sindhu, Chris and Gabrielle Adcock, Tanongsak who are back again with the team.
Sindhu had her share of ups and downs but the positives have been great. Including the number of titles she has this year, she also reached her career best ranking of World No. 2.
In the last edition, she remained unbeaten in all her matches that she played including defeating Saina Nehwal. This edition of PBL, promises to be more interesting as the fans will get to see another top shuttler live in action in Tai Tzu Ying.
Sindhu is yet to get a win against the World No. 1 and fans will be eager to see that happen in PBL. It has been another positive season for the Indian as she once again gained entry into the yearend final tournament, the Dubai Super Series Finals where she ended as runners-up losing to Akane Yamaguchi.
With the calibre and potential she holds, it makes the women's singles a strong power hold for the smashers.
Same is the case with others mentioned above, the Adcock couple and the Thai shuttler Tanongsak. Both have proven to be instrumental in Chennai's success in the past and they will continue to do so. The English pair have had a decent year with a Bronze at World Championships and winning the European Badminton championships together.
They too have found themselves competing at the Dubai SSF but couldn't go beyond the group stages as they suffered two defeats and won the last match.
The additions to the team have been Brice Leverdez, the Frenchman who gained attention and hit the headlines for all the right reasons this year. Beating the champion shuttler, Lee Chong Wei.
He along with Tanongsak form a good combination for the men's singles department but one will have to wait and see if they'll be able to withstand the competition from others like HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth.
Sumeeth Reddy and young shuttler Lee Yang are good and strong options in the men's doubles department. Considering the experience, Sumeeth will be likely to be paired up with Chris in the doubles. (his problem with pay and moving to another tournament if not increased, check before putting it up/confirm)
The others in the team include Aditya Joshi, Daniel Farid (MS) and Tanvi Lad (WS).
Taking the team as a whole, they stand strong and will make themselves heard with their performance. The other teams in the competition will have to keep a close watch on the Smashers. They once again look like a team to beat!