Premier Badminton League: Mumbai Rockets smashed Awadhe Warriors

Mumbai: Hosts Mumbai Rockets took on Awadhe Warriors in the opening match of the much awaited Star Sports Premier Badminton League today. While Awadhe Warriors took the Men’s Doubles as their ‘Trump Match’ which meant that Cai Yun and Hendra Gunawan had a job at hand to beat Mathias Boe and Vladimir Ivanov. On the other hand, Mumbai Rockets took the Men’s Singles as their ‘Trump Match’ and hence HS Prannoy had a responsibility to beat Tanongsak and bag the extra point for Mumbai Rockets.

As was expected Sai Praneeth in the first match of the Tie started the proceedings on a high and won the first game of the match against Gurusaidutt. But the latter came back strong to take the next two games, winning the match for Mumbai Rockets and leaving his opponent as well as the Warriors stunned.

The Men’s doubles being the Trump Match for Awadhe Warriors, hence all the more necessary that they win the match. But unfortunately for the Warriors they lost the match to Mathias Boe and Vladimir Ivanov resulting in negative marking for the team.

With the Warriors hoping that G Vrushali will get them the much needed win but unfortunately for the team, Ruthvika Gadde for the Rockets came out strong as she won the Women’s Singles giving her team the third consecutive win of the day.

The mixed doubles was another exciting game of badminton as the Bodin Issara and Christiana from the Warriors stable dominated the proceedings against Kamilla Juhi and Vladimir Ivanov in the first game as they won it convincingly. The second game saw the latter bouncing back to take the game, leaving the third and final game as the decider. It was the Warriors who flourished under pressure as they won the match for the team and which proved to be a big saviour for Awadhe Warriors.

Ruthvika Gadde said after her win: “It was not an easy match. Though I won it convincingly but she gave a tough fight and made me earn my points. I enjoyed the game and I am happy we have won all three games till now. I hope we end the day by taking all games in our favor.”