[h=1]IBL takes flight, Pistons win first tie[/h] http://in.news.yahoo.com/ibl-takes-flight-pistons-win-first-tie-192206158.html EXCERPTS: The $1 million Indian Badminton League (IBL) finally took flight as the Pune Pistons got off to a flying start beating Krrish Delhi Smashers in the first tie, bagging four points including a bonus, at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Wednesday. The match of the day was the clash between doubles partners Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa with the tie level at two-all. Smashers' icon player Jwala and Kien Kiet Koo lost to Pistons' icon Ashwini and Joachim Fischer Nielsen 21-16, 16-21, 11-3 in mixed doubles. The hosts bagged two points for their two wins. Jwala and Koo led most of the first game and almost had it in their kitty at 19-16. But Ashwini and her World No.4 mixed doubles partner won the next five points to surprise the hosts. The host team were again leading in the second game (14-8) and extended their lead to 20-14. The visiting pair saved two gamepoints but Jwala and Koo won the game to push the match into the 11-point decider. Some exquisite smashes by Nielsen and touch play by Ashwini at the net enabled them to racing away to matchpoint (10-3) and won the game, match and tie in no time. Earlier, B. Sai Praneeth got the Smashers off the mark as he upset Pistons' Nguyen Tien Minh. The Indian beat the World No.7 Vietnamese 21-16, 21-20 in the first men's singles. "Me and Prannoy are friends and we love playing with each other. I am happy for my team and would like to thank the crowd here," said Verma. Results: 1. B. Sai Praneeth (Smashers) beat Tien Minh Nguyen (Pistons) 21-16, 21-20; 2. Juliane Schenk (Pistons) beat Jindapon Nichaon (Smashers) 21-15, 21-6; 3. Boon Hoeng Tan/Kien Keat Koo (Smashers) beat K.T. Rupesh Kumar/Sanave Thomas (Pistons) 21-13, 21-16; 4. Sourabh Verma (Pistons) beat H.S. Prannoy Verma (Smashers) 21-16, 19-21, 11-5; 5. Ashwini Ponnappa/Joachim Fischer Nielsen (Pistons) beat Jwala Gutta/Keat Kien Koo (Smashers) 21-16, 16-21, 11-3.
Hey Scorpion, the news article said the spectators numbered about 500. Are the tickets priced too high?
Actually, All the tickets were sold out (Organisers have claimed). But since it has been broadcasted in many channels as well as in youtube, it seems everybody stayed at home to watch . Still way more to go in India to give importance for badminton, that is what we all want. That is what the reason they wanted to open a league like IBL to make a change in the environment where always there will be shouts like "CRICKET" all over the stadium . Buying tickets alone is not important, they also need to come and watch the league live. Hopefully, this mentality of people towards badminton will change soon in coming years i guess . Since, i am staying more than 1000 miles away from the place, i could not go there. Otherwise, i would have tried .
By the way the contest lasted beyond midnight. Maybe they should plan it couple of hours earlier. I dont think Sindhu Vs Saina will happen tonight.
Yep. Even i have noticed. They should plan in such a way that they will be played at 2 pm and 6 pm respectively if there are two ties in the same day..
They planned to complete in 4 hours, but finished in 4 and half hours...I don't think there is that much into it...But still though...as today is a holiday..they could have atleast moved the holiday timings a hour earlier.so that it doesn't effect later at night....
Today's schedule : http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/matches.aspx?id=BC7C452A-CE2C-443C-9183-69C2FBB3C839 - Hyderabad Hotshots v Awadhe Warriors (04.00pm) - Banga Beats v Mumbai Masters (08.00pm)
That ticket prices are low actually...definitely lower than IPL...but the turn out is kind of disappointing... The main difference is .I think IBL is failing to attract the youth who are the main audience for IPL...
15 days seems like a long period. Not sure how it will turn out. The players in the dugout seem to be enjoying the contest though. Lets hope the tournament gets interesting as the days progress. Awadhe Vs Hyd seems like a great contest. I kinda feel Awadhe would beat Hyd, though the later is star studded. Looks like Saina will be injured today , so wouldnt play.
Hyderabad Hotshots vs Awadhe warriors tie is about to start.. Live streaming HD link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRvsGLQWtGQ
Oh! no...2 days with 3 matches at 6 cities.....means each city have 2 days in which 3 matches are played....and then HYD, and Bangalore have semis....and then Mumbai finale..total 15 days.....
Oh!..lol...scratch the above... http://www.indianbadmintonleague.co/schedule/ here's the schedule.....Seems like Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad have only 2 matches in league stage...
