15 points game will make PBL more intense: Kashyap
INDIA'S EXPERIENCED SHUTTLER P Kashyap believes the introduction of a 15-point game in Premier Badminton League (PBL) will make the tournament more intense and good to watch for the fans.
In order to make it more action packed and enchanting for fans, each match will take in consideration the best of three games and each game will be played for 15 points and a sudden death at 14 all.
In another rule modification, there will be five matches in a tie and every team will have the option of selecting one of these matches as their 'Trump Match', in which, a victory would give the team a bonus point (+2) and a loss a negative point (-1).
The first match will see a clash between Awadhe Warriors, spearheaded by 2012 Olympic bronze medallist and 2015 World Championship silver medallist Saina Nehwal, and Mumbai Rockets in Mumbai. Besides Mumbai, other five franchisee participating are Delhi Acers, Hyderabad Hunters, Bengaluru Top Guns, Chennai Smashers, and Lucknow-based Awadhe Warriors.
“The 15-point games will make it more intense and small as 21 points in a game is too long. Most of the matches are now going for too long, more than one hour and more. And 15-point game will be better I think while seven-point game is different. Like we had to take the initiative for a lead in 14-15 point in 21 points game, in 15 point game we have to do this during 7 and 8,”
Kashyap told reporters in Mumbai on Friday.
Commonwealth Games 2014 champion Kashyap was bought by PBL franchise Hyderabad Hunters in the auction.
Speaking about the combination of the team, the World No.15 and 2012 London Olympic Games quarter-finalist said, “We have a fantastic team. We have Lee Chong Wei in our team. Overall our team is a balanced one. He will probably get four matches to play. I am also part of the team. We have also other good players who will put their best in the matches. We have Jwala Gutta in our team her experience will help all.
“I will surely want to play the first match. But it all depends on the team management. I want to play all the matches,” he said.
The broadcasters and the referee will decide the order of the play in each tie.
Speaking on it, he said,
“I think it is a bit strange and how that will work out as if one player plays two matches; the player has to be given enough rest between those matches.”
A sudden calf muscle tears had put upset the 29-year-old's plans to make it to the 2015 Dubai Superseries Finals.
“I had a calf muscle tear on my left leg which happened in the French Open almost two months back. It was a big setback. I was really upset about it. I had a clear cut chance to qualify for the Dubai Superseries Finals which I was aiming for the whole year. I wanted to be in the top eight and qualify for Dubai," Kashyap said.
