PBL: Chennai smashes table-toppers Awadhe Warriors 4-3

The young Aditya Joshi showcased tremendous potential, even as he slipped to a three-game loss against the experienced P. Kashyap.

P. Kashyap in action against Awadhe Warriors's Aditya Joshi.

The young Aditya Joshi showcased tremendous potential, even as he slipped to a three-game loss against the experienced P. Kashyap.

The 20-year-old, a former junior World No. 1, had his opponent on the ropes at one stage. A cornered Kashyap was forced to come out fighting, and eventually beat Aditya to the count.

On the back of Kashyap’s win in the trump match, Chennai Smashers went past Awadhe Warriors 4-3 in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) here on Wednesday.

Mumbai Rockets, Awadhe and Chennai have all sealed semifinal spots, while the other three teams are locked in a battle for the fourth and final knockout berth.

In the men’s singles fixture, Kashyap started well, taking the first game 11-7. The tenacious Aditya, backed well by Awadhe coach Anup Sridhar, forced his way back. The Madhya Pradesh lad banked on his sharp reflexes to retrieve smashes and went on to level the rubber.

In the deciding game, Aditya led 6-5, before Kashyap kicked into gear. The 30-year-old seasoned professional stayed calm in the final stretch to edge out his rival.

Chennai’s P.V. Sindhu, meanwhile, brooked no resistance from Rituparna Das. The Olympic silver medallist powered her way to a 11-4, 11-6 one-sided win.

The result:

Chennai Smashers bt Awadhe Warriors 4-3 [Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk lost to Vincent Wong 11-6, 9-11, 10-12; Chris Adcock & Gabrielle Adcock bt Bodin Isara & P. Sawant 11-4, 11-9; P. Kashyap (T) bt Aditya Joshi 11-7, 5-11, 11-7; P.V. Sindhu bt Rituparna Das 11-4, 11-6; Sumeeth Reddy & Mads Pieler Kolding lost to Goh Shem & Markis Kido (T) 10-12, 8-11].