CHENNAI SMASHERS crowned the Premier Badminton League 2017 title after they defeated Mumbai Rockets 4-3 in the finals held in Delhi.
Tanongsak from Thailand helped the Smashers edge out this close victory.Mumbai for the second time in a row end as runners-up in PBL. They lost to Delhi Acers in the first season.
The Adcock couple gave their team a good start by winning their Trump match over the Rockets pair of Nipitphon/Zieba. It was as a straight game victory for the Smashers duo, 11-9, 11-6. The first game saw Chris/Gabby dominate while in the second the way Rockets came back to lead at the interval, it did look like a decider would be needed.
But Chris/Gabby being down 4-6 in the second, they won 7 straight points to take the game and eventually the match. Winning the trump gave their team a lead of 2-0.
PV Sindhu bettered that lead by winning her match against Sung Ji Hyun. The Korean who gave a good fight to Carolina Marin in the semis didn't look at her best tonight. Losing the first game 8-11, she took some learning and tried to better it in the second.
Though in the second game, Sung was slowly trying to get back, after the interval it was all about Sindhu as she picked up series of points in her name. 10-6 up, Sung gave two good shots to keep Sindhu away from taking the game but the latter was not too long for a great smash and winning it 11-8.
The following was an all important match for the Rockets as a loss would give Chennai the title. Knowing that well, Lee Yong Dae/Nipitphon were determined to get their team back in the tie as they defeated Mads Kolding/Chris Adcock in straight games 12-10, 11-6.
The first game was a tight one as the Smashers pair really pushed Lee Yong/Nip but with some good shots they went on to win it. The second game started on an easy note for Rockets as they looked very comfortable but after the interval, Kolding/Chris slowly gained some momentum. But once, Lee/Nip got to the match point, it was no stopping them from taking it.
This brought back the Rockets in the tie as the scores were 2-3.
HS Prannoy made that 3-3 with his win over compatriot Parupalli kashyap. Winning the first game with ease 11-4 but then Kashyap came back to win the second 11-8 to push it to the decider. The final game was filled with drama that this tie needed. Both the shuttlers giving their all to win points, jumping, falling just to make sure they get those crucial points for their respective teams.
In that process, Kashyap hurt his shoulder while taking a shot and put him under disadvantage against a strong competitor Prannoy. But Prannoy wasn't taking any advantage of that situation but playing good game instead.
Kashyap with that injury at one stage looked like he may take it but Prannoy was in no mood to break his winning streak. With a smash he ends it, 11-8. He remains as the undefeated men's singles shuttler in the league. Seven matches and all seven going in his favour.
This then brought it to the final match of the tie as the scores were levelled at 3-3.
Tanongsak from Thailand gave the final match to Chennai and won the title. After being down in the first game 8-11 against Ajay Jayaram, the Thai shuttler came back with some strong smashes and shots to take the second game 7-11 to push the match to a decider.
The final game was completely dominated by Tanongsak as he was leading 6-3 and maintained that lead put Ajay under immense pressure. There was no chance for the Mumbai boy to take it as Tanongsak took it 11-3.
Chennai Smashers won the title by 4-3.