Saina-led Hotshots take on Sindhu's Warriors in title contest

Spearheaded by women's world no. 4 Saina Nehwal, Hyderabad Hotshots would be determined to stamp their authority once again on the world no. 10 P V Sindhu-led Awadhe Warriors in what promises to be a rip-roaring Indian Badminton League (IBL) finals here tomorrow.
At stake are not only reputations and the overall championship, but also a big prize fund in the USD 1 million league that reaches its climax at the NSCI's newly built air-conditioned indoor stadium.
Hotshots have relied a lot on their icon player Saina's show and the shuttle queen has not disappointed so far, winning all her six singles matches thus far.

The crowd would be eagerly looking forward to the second match in the finale between Saina and her challenger Sindhu, the icon for her team.
The 19-year-old Sindhu paved the way for Warriors' entry into the final by winning her match last night in the semifinal against Mumbai Masters' top woman player and thrice All-England champion Tine Baun in Bangalore.
In their first encounter of the tournament, on the Independence Day in the Capital, Saina blew her Hyderabad city rival and Guangzhou world championship bronze medal winner Sindhu off the court with a thumping 21-9 21-8 victory.

The taller Sindhu would thus be eager to avenge that defeat and the contrast in style of play of the two players, with the faster and fitter Saina pitted against her younger rival with superior reach, should enthrall the spectators in the summit contest.

Even if Saina repeats her domination of Sindhu, the important issue is whether the Warriors have sufficient depth to win other matches and turn the tables on the confident-looking Hotshots.
Hotshots ousted the other Maharashtra team Pune Pistons 3-0 in the first semifinal at Hyderabad two nights ago.
It's more or less certain that Hotshots would be fielding their main men's singles player Thai world no. 19 S Tanongsak, a semifinalist at the All England championships in March, to provide them the flying start.