Sindhu-Saina clash attracts huge crowd at Siri Fort

After the inaugural day lull, the sports lovers made full use of the Independence Day holiday today by turning up in large numbers on the second day of the Indian Badminton League at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here.
Spectators, who hardly made their presence felt on day one with performers virtually performing in front of empty stands, today braved the parking woes and tough security checks to witness two top women's singles shuttlers - Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu -- in action.
With Saina locking horns with Sindhu for the first time, fans queued up well in time to cheer for India's two most popular shuttlers.

Even, Finance Minister P Chidambaram utilised his day off to see the badminton stars in action. Also seen in the stands was 2004 Athens Olympics silver medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Turning up in an uncustomary T-shirt and trousers, Chidambaram met both Saina and Sindhu and also felicitated the 18-year-old rising star for her recent bronze-medal winning effort in the World Championships in China.
Saina got the better of her junior opponent in straight games, and it seemed that even luck was on the London Olympics bronze medallist's side as Sindhu's mother was seen cladded in Hyderabad Hotshots' jersey colour - yellow, rather than Awadhe Warriors blue colour.

Meanwhile, autograph seekers queued up in front of the commentary box when Saina came there for a brief chat.
Amidst the Saina-Sindhu rivalry, the fans had a great time watching the two ladies being involved in a fierce battle with banners carrying their names and messages all around.