Pune: Awadhe Warriors won their first tie of the Indian Badminton League (IBL) in style by drubbing Krrish Delhi Smashers 4-1 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex here on Thursday.
With the victory, the Lucknow-based team bagged five points (four with each match win and a bonus point) to jump to fourth place in the points table while the Smashers are fifth with eight points.
In the men's singles rubber, Warriors' Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold winner K. Srikanth gave his team a winning start by coming out victorious against compatriot and friend B. Sai Sai Praneeth of the Smashers 21-14, 21-9.
Awadhe's icon player PV Sindhu gave her team a 2-0 lead when she beat Arundhati Pantawane 21-16, 21-17. This was the World Championship bronze medallist's first victory of the tournament.
However, experienced Malaysian pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Hoeng kept the Smashers alive in the tie by winning the men's doubles match 21-16, 21-19 against Markis Kido and Mathias Boe of the Warriors.
Awadhe Warriors World No.20 R.M.V. Gurusaidutt clinched the second men's doubles rubber against Daren Liew to seal the tie for his team. Gurusaidutt won 21-16, 21-20.
In the dead mixed doubles rubber, brother-sister of pairing of Kido and Pia Bernadet won a tough match 21-20, 21-19 against V. Diju and Prajakta Sawant to give the Warriors one more crucial point.
Friday's action will see Banga Beats taking on hosts Pune Pistons here.
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