PBL 2017 Rising Stars: HS Prannoy
After going through injuries and criticism, Kerala based HS Prannoy has finally set his mark in the international league. Over the few years, Prannoy has managed to win some very prestigious tournaments against the pros.
A new star on the rise
HS Prannoy was initially a player with very limited skill-set and stamina. The criticism he received had somehow created a lot of inhibitions, which in turn led to him losing his tournaments. The Keralite, with several wins at the junior level, found it very challenging to cope up with the senior players. But gradually, the 24-year-old started winning at the international level. His first win at Indonesian masters in 2014, was one to remember. He effortlessly took on Indonesia’s Firman Abdul Kholik and clinched his first ever gold. Soon after, the shuttler was sabotaged by several injuries, that almost stalled his winning streak and most of all, his career. But after almost 2 years, he made his comeback with a silver in the South Asian Games and a gold in the Swiss Open last year.
Taking a new turn
HS Prannoy’s new found aggressive attitude is what lead to his victories over the past 2 years. “I wanted to change my attitude on court. I played with lot of aggression and it will help me in the upcoming season as well,” said the current world no.24 to a reporter. The 24-year-old’s endurance and strategies have played a major role in helping him win all his matches in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) 2017.
HS Prannoy’s journey at PBL 2017
The Mumbai Rockets had a great predominance of new and young energy this season. As a result, the most underrated team made it to the finals and proved their capability. HS Prannoy was undoubtedly the highlight of the team. He was possibly the only player to have won all his singles matches this year. Despite his severe injuries and fallbacks, he made the perfect comeback by coming out stronger than ever.
The team made their entrance into the season in the best way possible by imposing 6- (-1) scoreline on Delhi. Prannoy had to square off against Korean shuttler Son Wan Ho. The Keralite was able to determine the flight of the shuttle way better and very strategically placed all his shots in the forehand baseline, hence defeating Son. In the their second match, Mumbai had to lock horns with Hyderabad. After losing the trump match, all was in the hands Prannoy. His match against fellow Indian shuttler Sameer Verma had him charge to victory with straight sets, therefore emerging winners.
In their third game of the season, the team handed out a victory against the only unbeaten team, Awadhe Warriors. The 24-year-old proved his ability yet again, by clinching the trump match against Hong Kong’s Vincent Wong Wing Kee. Prannoy played an excellently tactical match against the feisty Wing Kee, producing a nail-biting finish.
Against All Odds
In the semifinal of the season, the trump match of the game yet again rode on the shoulders of the Keralite, when all other matches had concluded in a tie. Prannoy, who was brimming with confidence throughout, had made use of his calm temperament and his control over the court to emerge victorious against Sameer Verma, yet again.
The final game was against Chennai’s Parupalli Kashyap. Prannoy put all his endurance and technique to use and also had to drop some sweat. As a result, he ended up beating his counterpart in a nerve wrecking session, by putting all his endurance and technique to use.
The future definitely seems all in favour of the pro shuttler. It is only a matter of time to find out if the new boy in the league can make it big aghast his already ruling counterparts.