The Saina Nehwal-led Hyderabad Hotshots emerged champions of the inaugural $1 million Indian Badminton League, when they downed Awadhe Warriors 3-1 in the final at the National Sports Club of India Stadium on Saturday night.
After Kidambi Srikanth had shocked Saensomboonsuk Tanongsuk in the first match, Hyderabad replied through Saina, the men’s doubles pair of V Shem Goh and Wah Lim Kham and local man Ajay Jayaram to have the last laugh.
The energetic Srikanth stopped the winning run of Tanongsak to snatch a surprise 21-12, 21-20 win for Awadhe Warriors in the first match. The 20-year-old Hyderabad-based player attacked with vigour and purpose to dismantle the left-hander. Srikanth, ranked 38th in the world, dominated the first game and in the second, took a 13-6 lead before Tanongsak made a comeback of sorts. He even had a game point at 20-19, but it was Srikanth’s day as he levelled the scores before closing the match with a smash.
“The beginning was tough but after the first interval I was able to increase the points gap. This gave me the confidence to play my game. I remained focused and even though Tanongsak gave me great fight in the second game, the match went in our favour,” said Srikanth, the Thailand Open winner.
The indomitable Saina restored parity for Hyderabad by outwitting Sindhu 21-15, 21-7 for the second time in the tournament. The more experienced Saina was too good and too fast for the 18-year-old.
Saina’s movements were sharper. She hit the shuttle hard and delectably. Sindhu was edgy and nervous. Her shot selection was ordinary and she cracked under pressure, much to the disappointment of a good crowd.
Throughout the first game, Saina pressed Sindhu with increasing vigour. She played some intelligent shots and broke free in the second game to assert her supremacy. “Sindhu played really well and gave her best but I managed to outwit her. I have been really lucky during the entire League that I won all my matches. I am happy to have won this match,” said Saina.
The Malaysian pair of V Shem Goh and Wah Lim Kham were too subtle and more organised in overpowering the seasoned Markis Kido and Mathias Boe 21-14, 13-21, 11-4 to give Hyderabad a 2-1 lead.
Jayaram faltered at the start before beating RMV Gurusaidutt 10-21, 21-17, 11-7 to seal the issue for Hyderabad. Playing with greater authority, Gurusaidutt stunned Jayaram with some audacious shots to win the first game. Trailing for most part of the second game, Jayaram found his rhythm in the later part. In the deciding third game, a confident Jayaram sealed the issue.
