Strong in men’s singles and doubles events, chief coach U Vimal Kumar will, however, have to boost up the Bangalore team’s prospects in the women’s section and mixed event.
BANGALORE is amongst the leading sports cities in the world today. With more than a century of badminton legacy behind it, the city’s franchise team in the inaugural Indian Badminton League is arguably a strong contender for the title. The Banga Beats have a strong and balanced line-up with two of the finest men’s singles players in Icon player Parupalli Kashyap and world No.6 Hun Yu of Hog Kong, rising women star Tai Tzu Ying, Spanish import Carolina Marin, and 2012 London Olympics silver medallist and former world No.1 in men’s doubles Carsten Mongensen. The home crowd advantage will be used to the hilt by the talented shuttlers comprising of Aparna Balan, Arvind Bhatt, Aditya Prakash, Akshay Dewalkar, J Meghna. Banga Beats’ 11th player – a promising Under-19 India player – is Daniel Farid, who will be thrilled to share the locker room with the likes of Mongensen, Hun Yu and Kashyap.
Banga Beats are quite strong in the departments of men’s singles and men’s doubles. In men’s singles they have the Indian No. 1 and current world No. 13 Parupalli Kashyap. The Hyderabad-based shuttler is undoubtedly going to cause a few headaches for opposition teams. Banga Beats’ best buy in singles was Hong Kong’s star Hu Yun. Yun is currently the World No. 6 and has the potential to defeat any player in the world.
In doubles, Banga Beats will count on London Olympics silver medallist Mogensen to clinch full points. Mogensen, who is currently the World No. 3 in men’s doubles with Mathias Boe, will most likely partner Indian doubles star Akshay Dewalkar. The Indo-Danish combination would be an unknown commodity for everyone, and could register a few quality wins once the league gets underway.
Promising show in women’s event & mixed
In a team event, Banga Beats will be looking at their women players to fire in both the singles and mixed doubles event. World No. 8 Taipei shuttler Tzu Ying Tai and Spaniard Carolina will have to prove themselves as dependable singles winner while local favourite Aparna Balan will be expected to team up for the mixed event. Overall, winning three out of five will be their main goal, anything more will be bonus depending on which team they are playing on the day.
Conclusion :
Men’s doubles, Men’s singles seems to be their strength on paper, the surprise factor may come in the mixed event and women’s singles. Chief coach Vimal Kumar will have to engage in a lot of backroom strategies.
QuickTake
“Banga Beats is an ode to that spirit and soul of the sports-loving people of one of the most ethnically-diverse cities in the world”
Owners: BOP Group
Chief Coach : U Vimal Kumar, Former Olympian & National Chief Coach
ICON Player : Parupalli Kashyap
11th Player (from catchment area): Daniel Farid
Highest ranking in BWF: 1st
11th Under-19 Player: Harsheel Dani
Team :
| Player | Event/Specialists | |
| 1 | Parupalli Kashyap (India) | MS |
| 2 | Hu Yun (Hong Kong) | MS |
| 3 | Carolina Marin (Spain)/td> | WS |
| 4 | Tzu Ying Tai (Taiwan) | WS |
| 5 | Carsten Mogensen (Denmark) | Doubles |
| 6 | Akshay Dewalkar (India) | Doubles |
| 7 | Aparna Balan (India) | Doubles |
| 8 | Arvind Bhat (India) | MS |
| 9 | Aditya Prakash (India) | MS |
| 10 | J Meghana (India) | Doubles |
| 11 | Daniel Farid | MS |