Krrish Delhi Smashers staged a brilliant fightback to down Saina Nehwal-led Hyderabad Hotshots 3-2 at the Indian Badminton League, in Lucknow on Saturday.
Smashers now have six points after two ties, as do the Hotshots.
Smashers’ icon player Jwala Gutta missed the tie owing to an injury as Prajakta Sawant paired up with V. Diju to win the deciding mixed doubles match against V. Shem Goh and Pradnya Gadre for an unlikely victory over the Hotshots. Diju, Sawant won 21-20, 21-15.
Earlier, world no. 4 Saina thrashed compatriot Arundhati Panthawane even as veteran Taufik Hidayat went down tamely as the Smashers levelled the tie at 2-2. Malaysian Daren Liew crushed Hidayat 21-10, 21-7 in an one-sided contest.
Saina cruised to an easy 21-6, 21-8 victory after Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand had beaten Sai Praneeth B. 19-21, 12-19, 11-7 in the men’s singles. Top Malaysian men’s doubles pair Boon Hoeng Tan and Kien Keat Koo kept Delhi’s hopes alive by winning the third rubber against V. Shem Goh and T. Kona 21-14, 21-20.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/swati-chopra-275
