Hyderabad Hotshots win inaugural IBL title

Hyderabad Hotshots are the IBL Champions

Saina Nehwal-led Hyderabad Hotshots won the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) title at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) on Saturday.

The Hotshots beat the P.V. Sindhu-led Awadhe Warriors 3-1 in the final.

In the final contest played between Hyderabad Hotshots and Awadhe Warriors, the show started with Awadhe Warriors registering victory in first match with Srikanth leading 21-12, 21-20.

Then, it was the much awaited game between Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu. Saina booked her slot by marking a 2-0 win with scores 21-14, 21-7. It was an one-sided encounter, as the world no.4 lead from the very beginning.

In the first game of third match, Hyderabad’s players restricted Markis Kido away from net, which restrained from performing at the top level as he did on Friday.

However, Kido and Mathias Boe gained momentum in second game and were able to turn the tide in their favour, but their cheers didn’t last long as Hotshots reverted back to their form and won the third game and lead the tie with 2-1.

In the decisive match, Dutt crushed Jayaram comfortably by 21-10 in the first game. Dutt also dominated at the start of second game, but spirited Jayaram performed brilliantly to steal the game by 21-17.

Playing on with boosted confidence, Jayaram lead Hyderabad Hotshots to the inaugural IBL title.

The winners were rewarded with prize money of about 3.5 Crores INR.