World No 2 shuttler Tai Tzu-ying of Chinese Taipei finds the format of the Premier Badminton League exciting as she looks forward to locking swords against world champion PV Sindhu in the tournament.
Asian Games gold medallist Tai Tzu – playing for Bengaluru Raptors – is one of the top global stars taking part in the fifth season of PBL, which begins in Chennai on January with a match between Sindhu’s Hyderabad Hunters and Chennai Superstars.
“I had a great time playing in PBL last time,” said Tai Tzu. The format of the league is very exciting and that is why I like to play in the league. I am very excited to join the Bengaluru Raptors team for the PBL season 5,” she said.
“I hope lot of fans will come to the stadiums to watch the matches and my fans around the world will follow it on TV and online. I look forward to playing against all teams, especially against PV Sindhu,” the former world No 1 added.
Sindhu’s Hyderabad Hunters and Tai Tzu’s Bengaluru Raptors can meet each other on January 31 in the third leg in Hyderabad.
Tai Tzu has a favourable career head-to-head record against world No 6 Sindhu, having won 11 of the 16 matches they have played. But, the Indian had beaten Tai Tzu in the quarter-final of the World Championships before going on to win the tournament.
PBL 5 will be played in Chennai for the first five days before it moves to Lucknow on January 25, followed by seven days in Hyderabad. The semi-finals and the final will be staged in Bangalore.
The 21-day event will witness 24 ties being played with seven teams – Awadhe Warriors, Bengaluru Raptors, Mumbai Rockets, Hyderabad Hunters, Chennai Superstarz, North Eastern Warriors and Pune 7 Aces – slugging it out for a prize purse of Rs 6 crore in four cities.
The fifth edition of the league will see competition of the highest level as five Olympic medallists and 15 World Championships medallists will be taking part.