Confident Sindhu says ready for Saina challenge in IBL

Confident after winning a bronze medal at the World Badminton Championships, fast rising shuttler P V Sindhu says she is ready to take on her celebrated compatriot Saina Nehwal at the inaugural Indian Badminton League.

"I'm thrilled to win the medal, and my immediate target is to excel in the next two weeks at the Indian Badminton League. I am ready to play against Saina and will try to give
my best performance. Hope it will be a good show," Sindhu said.

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The 18-year-old, who reached semi-finals at the World Championships in China, is a marquee player for the Lucknow franchise while Saina will lead Hyderabad's challenge.

The two will face each other on August 15 at the DDA Badminton & Squash Stadium in New Delhi.

"I am charged up for the IBL. It will be a tough competition and I'm looking forward to play with all the great players," Sindhu said from Guangzhou.

The IBL will feature six franchises and will run for 18 days. Each franchise will host a two-day leg and the League will showcase a grand total of 90 matches.

The top four franchises in the League will clash in the semi-finals and the final will be held in Mumbai on August 31.

Image: P V Sindhu
Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com