IBL: Sindhu, Srikanth help Awadhe crush Delhi

Rising shuttlers PV Sindhu and K Srikanth lead the way for Awadhe Warriors as they crushed Krrish Delhi Smashers 4-1 in the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) in Pune.

World number four Malaysian pair of Kien Keat Koo and Boon Hoeng Tan pulled one back in the men's doubles competition for the Krrish Delhi Smashers, but Gurusaidutt sealed the deal for Awadhe with a convincing win over Daren Liew.

Thailand Grand Prix Gold winner, Srikanth started the proceedings for the Warriors, who are yet to win a tie in the compeition so far.

The Andhra Pradesh lad rode on his powerful smashes and better placements to tame B Sai Praneeth 21-14, 21-9 in the first men's singles match to give Awadhe a 1-0 lead over Delhi at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi.

World Championship bronze medallist, Sindhu then prevailed over Arundhati Pantawane 21-16 21-17 in the women's singles match to guide Awadhe to a 2-0 lead.

Srikanth starting the opening game on a positive note and lead 7-4 at the first break, before wrapping up the game comfortably in the end.

Srikanth, who was leading 19-9 at one stage in the second game, said said he was prepared for the clash.

In the second match, Pantawane was the more dominating initially as she took a surprising 7-4 lead at the opening break in the first game. However, Sindhu fought her way back to 11-11 and then took the first game away from the 23-year-old National Games champion.

In the second game, Pantawane and Sindhu were tied at 6-6 at one stage but soon the Hyderabadi stretched her lead to 13-7 and wrapped up the game comfortably.

World number four Malaysian pair of Kien Keat Koo and Boon Hoeng Tan then kept the hopes alive for the Smashers with a 21-16, 21-19 victory over Lucknow's Markis Kido and Mathias Boe in the men's doubles compeition.

Awadhe Warriors World No.20 R.M.V. Gurusaidutt clinched the second men’s doubles rubber against Daren Liew to seal the tie for his team. Gurusaidutt won 21-16, 21-20.

In the dead mixed doubles rubber, brother-sister of pairing of Kido and Pia Bernadet won a tough match 21-20, 21-19 against V. Diju and Prajakta Sawant to give the Warriors one more crucial point.

Image: PV Sindhu

Photograph: Indian Badminton League