HYDERABAD: Whenever the history of Indian badminton will be written, it’s biggest chapter will feature Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. It will be full of their achievements, and comparisons between the two will surely arise. After the Rio Olympics, that debate has just deepened, as Sindhu won a silver medal, bettering her senior’s bronze in London from four years ago.
Saina has won every possible laurel, but Sindhu has gone on to better each of those achievements. It is the kind of debate even the best in the business cannot keep out of.
At the launch of Season 2 of the Premier Badminton League here, World No 1 Carolina Marin entered the discussion. It was not as if she had much to choose between the two, as Marin has moderate success against both. She complemented both for their games, and hoped to renew rivalries with the duo in PBL.
Marin will be playing for Hyderabad Hunters, Sindhu for Chennai Smashers, and Saina for Awadhe Warriors. The three are bound to clash in singles.
“Saina and Sindhu are tough players. But their styles are different. Sindhu has a good attack, while Saina can tire you and then play her shots. It’s difficult to play against both. I’m eagerly waiting to play against both,” said Marin here on Friday.
The Spainiard couldn’t help elaborate on her clash against Sindhu. According to the 23-year-old, her style of play is quite similar to Sindhu’s, and it will be difficult to beat her.
“Sindhu is in great form right now, and it’s going to be tough to beat her. With a different format in PBL, I’ll have to come up with a different strategy to beat her,” concluded the Spaniard.
Sindhu, who was also present at the event, was all up for the challenge. “It’s going to be an exciting clash. The fact that I’ve played so many matches against her will make it harder to come up with a new plan. But I’ll give my 100 per cent.”
madhav@newindianexpress.com