TEAM PREVIEW: Pranoy-led Mumbai Rockets need consistent performance to make any mark
THE MUMBAI TEAM arrives with a new look and name in the revamped season of the Premier Badminton League (PBL). Mumbai Rockets play the opening match of the league against Awadhe Warriors on 2nd January in Mumbai. Leading the team would be Indian men's singles shuttler HS Prannoy, who has Gurusaidutt as part of the squad.
Baddies coming soon only on @StarSportsIndia . 4 more days to go @PBLIndiaLive #SuperExcited pic.twitter.com/e7qUZTUQBQ
— PRANNOY HS (@PRANNOYHSPRI) December 29, 2015
This would be the first time that the 23-year-old shuttler will be the face of the team and will be wanting to prove his potential against Kashyap and Srikanth. Prannoy's best moment of the the year came after he defeated Lin Dan in the French Open. Gurusaidutt too has the potential to beat the best, but consistency is what both these shuttlers lack.
Mumbai rockets press meet 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/iTeqD3NaYD
— Guru Sai Dutt (@GuruSaiDutt1) December 30, 2015
Ruthwika Gadde, Han Li and Liu Zi Die will do basttle in the women's singles category. The 27-year-old Li is the one of the more experienced players in this category. Ruthwika is a budding talent who trains under the guidance of Gopichand. In 2015, she clinched the Bangladesh Open International Challenge. But against Saina or Sindhu, these shuttlers might be pushed into a corner.
There are four shuttlers in the men's and mixed doubles category -- Manu Attri, Chayut Triyachart (Singapore), Vladimir Ivanov (Russia) and Mathais Boe (Denmark). Out of these, the most experienced are Ivanov and Boe. This league could witness a rare combination of Boe and Ivanov playing the men's doubles match together. Both the players are the best in their domain. Ivanov was the runner-up at Bitburger Open GPG, German Open GPG, India Open GPG and won the Russia Open GP this year along with partner Ivan Sozonov.
The 35-year-old Danish who is silver medallist at the 2012 London Olympics can play the role of a mentor for the shuttlers looking to pursue this format. He is currently ranked 4th with partner Carsten Mogensen.
“Great inspiration for the junior players to play in this sort of league. I will give my best in the competition and help the youngsters as much as possible. I have had a look at the other teams and on paper everyone is strong,” said Boe at the team launch on Wednesday.
Selfie frm #mumbairockets press conf with our team owner Mr. Pathak,Tall Dark Handsome n The Ultimate Prankster😃🏸🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IczVCFDrB7
— Mathias Boe (@mathiasboe) December 30, 2015
The Indian shuttler, Manu Attri has also had a great year winning two International Challenge titles and the first ever Grand Prix title in Mexico along with partner B Sumeeth Reddy.
Blessed to have won the Mexico Grand Prix #manuattri #topscheme pic.twitter.com/P5WnoiXLxg
— Buss Sumeeth reddy (@buss_reddy) December 21, 2015
At the moment, the team looks compact with some young and fresh faces leading the pack. But when it comes to the women's singles category, team Mumbai lack depth, and this could hurt them badly. Even in the men's category, the going is not easy as the other teams look equally strong. The Rockets will need to play some stirring badminton consistently to make a mark this season.
