New Delhi: The Jwala Gutta-led Krrish Delhi Smashers will lock horns with Ashwini Ponnappa’s Pune Pistons in the tournament opener of the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) which kicks off here on Wednesday.
It is expected to be a rollicking affair when the Indian and international stars clash with each other, playing high-octane badminton in the next 18 days to give the six franchises a chance to win the title.
The opening ceremony will start at 6:30pm, which will have regular song and dance shows before the high-profile clash between Delhi and Pune begins at 8pm.
A total of 90 matches will be played as the IBL bandwagon crosses six cities with each franchise hosting a two-day leg. The top four team will clash in the semifinals and the winners will meet in the final on August 31 in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the successful combination of Jwala and Ashwini, who won India’s first women’s doubles bronze medal at the 2011 World Championship, is all set to get back together.
Almost a year after they broke up following Jwala’s seven-month sabbatical from badminton in August last year, Ashwini and Jwala are in talks to pair up once again but both of them refused to divulge the details.
Asked if there is a chance of changing partners, Ashwini said: “Probably, talks are on but I don’t want to talk about it now. Lets us get done with the IBL.”
“I feel Jwala and I can get back together. Both of us think it would be good for us. We have done well in the past but I don’t want to talk much about it now,” she said.
Following the London Olympics, Jwala had taken a break and Ashwini decided to pair up with Pradyna Gadre. The pair had some good wins and are currently the world number 26 combination in the world.
Jwala, who had been playing with Prajakta Sawant since April after the latter was named in the Indian squad following a court’s order, said: “There is a chance of having another partner. I can’t say much about long term plan now. Talks are on and let’s see what happens.”
Ashwini was left disappointed after her base price was reduced to 25,000 at the last moment by the IBL and she was fetched by Pune Warriors but the Bangalore girl said she has got over the disappointment.
“You can’t brood over it always. Then I was very upset but you have to get over it. I am excited to play in the IBL now,” she said.
The 23-year-old from Bangalore said she is excited to play with the experienced Joachim Fischer Nielsen, a bronze medallist at London Olympics, for the Pune Pistons on Wednesday. (PTI)