Tie: Chennai Smashers v Mumbai Rockets
Date: 10 January, Tuesday
Time: 9:30pm SGT/7pm IST/1:30pm SGT
Competition: Premier Badminton League 2017
Venue: Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru
TV Channel: There is no live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Overview
Chennai Smashers are beginning their home leg of the tournament, this year in Bengaluru, from Tuesday and they are in for a tough challenge from second-placed Mumbai Rockets.
The Smashers, who are currently fourth in the standings with 10 points from three ties, need a win to remain in the top-four and fend off pressure from Hyderabad Hunters (5th) and Delhi Acers (6th). They are heading into the tie after losing to strugglers Acers 5-2 on Sunday.
Also read: No PV Sindhu v Saina Nehwal match on Wednesday?
Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu was the only shuttler to win a match for the Smashers against the Acers. The Indian defeated compatriot Tanvi Lad in straight games to clinch two points in the Trump match. Acers' men's singles stars Jan O Jorgensen and Son Wan Ho were on top of their game and provided their team the much-needed boost after losing two successive ties with a 6/-1 margin in the tournament.
However, Chennai would want an improved performance from Chris Addock, who will be featuring in both doubles and mixed doubles matches on Tuesday. Notably, the English player partnered with Sindhu for mixed doubles but lost to Acers' Jwalla Gutta and Vladimir Ivanov.
On the other hand, Rockets have not lost a tie yet in the tournament and are coming into the tie against Smashers after thrashing Bengaluru Blasters 4-1 on Sunday. Korean shuttler Sung Ji Hyun has been a solid campaigner for the Rockets and she will be up against Sindhu in the much-anticipated match today.
Indian shuttler Ajay Jayaram, who defeated world number three Viktor Axelsen in Rockets' previous tie, will be expected to do the job once again for his team. Mixed doubles pairing of Lee Yong Dae and Nipithphon Phuangpuapet would also want to get back to winning ways and give their team the push to top the table.
TV Channel
India: Star Sports
Team News
Chennai
Squad: P V Sindhu, Tommy Sugiarto, Gabby Adcock, Tanongsak S, P Kashyap, Chris Adcock, Mads Pieler Kolding, B Sumeeth Reddy, Ramya Tulasi, Arundhati Pantawane
Mumbai
Squad: Sung Ji Hyun, Lee Yong Dae, Nadiezda Zieba, Ajay Jayaram, Prannoy HS, Nipitphon Phusnhphupet, Manu Atri, Abhishek Yelegar, Vrushali G, Mohita Sehdev
