TEAM PREVIEW: Bengaluru Blasters aim to excel with Axelsen up front
THE BENGALURU FRANCHISE in Premier Badminton League are in a new avatar this season. They have new investors and a new name, Bengaluru Blasters. They would also like to have a new ending to this season unlike last season's bottom table finish.
Their coach remains the same, the experienced Arvind Bhatt. Their team has been boosted by the addition of Viktor Axelsen who recently won the Dubai Superseries Final men's singles title.
He would definitely be the first choice player to lead the men's singles category. He has been in his best form this year. Winning the Olympic Bronze medal would be the highlight of his season this year.
If the overall best performance in the women's singles category came from PV Sindhu then the best in men's singles category was Viktor. He has been consistent throughout this season, ending the season on high. He would want to continue the same momentum in PBL and help his team win the title.
Bengaluru might fall short in the women's singles category as compared to other teams. Portnip Buranaprasertsuk does have titles to her name but this year has not been good for the Thai shuttler. The other teams in PBL have top class shuttlers in the women's singles category. Bengaluru will depend on other categories that will prove to be strong for the team.
Instead of Porntip, the other shuttler in the category, Ruthvika might prove stronger for the team. The youngster has been at her best in 2016. Therefore chances are that, she may be seen more in action than the Thai shuttler.
They added the services of Pranaav Jerry Chopra/Sikki Reddy that will strengthen their mixed doubles contest. The pair have been at their best this year and wants to continue the same form. This will be one of the contests to look forward to in team Bengaluru. Pranaav played a key role for his team Chennai Smashers in 2016. This time coach Arvind would expect a lot from the Indian duo.
In the men's doubles category they have experienced shuttlers like Ko Sung Hyun and Yoo Yeon Seong. They have played together in the international circuit and will add their experience to the team. Bengaluru will expect a lot from the former World No. 1 and 2 respectively.
They have also retained the services of Ashwini Ponnappa and it would be interesting to see if she makes an appearance in the mixed doubles.
The other shuttlers in the team are Boonsak Ponsana (men's singles) and Sourabh Verma (men's singles).
Three categories that would prove best for Bengaluru Blasters would be Pranaav/Sikki (mixed doubles); Viktor (men's singles); Ko Sung Hyun/Yoo Yeon-Seong (men's doubles).
Check out the star foreign shuttlers, Indian and juniors.
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