MBL’s second edition enthrals one and all

The second edition of the Cello Maharashtra Badminton League witnessed a grand finale on Sunday when a packed house at t WIE Complex witnessed pre-tournament favourites Daring Doves overcome Inspiring Eagles 3-1 in the final.

The excitement was palpable through-out the nine day’s with the last knock out berth being decided in the last league encounter. While there were many moments that would be cherished over the years we take a look at the few moments and players which defined the tournament.

PDMBA president Aniruddha Deshpande
felicitates Vasant Gore

Overwhelming response

Despite the tournament being a purely state level event with some of the top stars missing there were doubts about the spectator response before the start of the tournament. But all those fears were unfounded with Punekars thronging the stadium every day and the final was played in front of a packed house. In a heart warming gesture, the organisers also felicitated veteran coach Vasant Gore for his service to the game. Gore has trained many state and national level players in their formative stage and most of them were present to applaud their coach on Sunday.

The victorious Daring Doves team

Doves dare, reap reward

Daring Doves owners Pratham Motors decision to retain three players from last year meant that their auction kitty was considerably reduced and they had to settle for the second best players most categories during the auction. But it was a calculated risk for the last edition semifinalists as they expected their retained players to win all their matches. That did not happen and Doves lost two of their league encounters. But their singles stars – Eshan Naqvi and Shubhakar Dey – were in their elements in the business end of the tournament and ensured that there was no last minute hiccup for the team this time around.

Eagles stutter then soar

Last year finalists, Inspiring Eagles became the first team in MBL’s history to be docked a point for unruly behaviour of their owners, who allegedly abused the officials after a debatable call during a crucial juncture in their league encounter against defending champions Sensational Skylark. Eagles, owned by RBS Sportsethix, were docked a point and when they suffered two straight losses thereafter no one gave them a chance. But the team not only sneaked in with an inspiring victory over Doves in their last league encounter they got the better of Skylarks – owned by P N Gadgil Developers -- in the semifinal in what was yet another energy draining mixed doubles rubber to reach the final. That effort did take a toll on their players who lacked the energy to once again challenge the Doves.

Teenage show

Despite this being a senior tournament, two teenagers stood out with their enterprising brand of badminton. Sixteen-year-old Harsheel Dani, playing for Graceland owned Graceful Gulls, has always been highly rated for his talent and the 6 feet 2 inch left hander showed why he is the man for the future. He only lost two matches in the entire tournament. But more than his victory it was the quality of his strokes and the deception that not only entertained the spectators even his opponents were forced to applaud at times.

Harsheel’s stable mate at the Uday Pawar badminton academy, Karishma Wadkar, was considered to be the surprised choice by Pinnacle Group-owned Gorgeous Gannets for women’s singles. But the 15-year-old showed her potential by upsetting senior national finalist Neha Pandit in the league stage. The teenager is on a comeback trail after a hamstring tear last year and team owners would be willing to loosen their purse strings for her in the next auction.

Lifetime disappointment

Mumbai based Lifetime Group, owners of Lifetime Linnets, bought the second most valuable player in the tournament and build a team around him. But nothing seemed to click for Sagar Chopda and his team as they lost all their league matches. On at least three occasions, the team was in a position to clinch the tie but they somehow always managed to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

In a nutshell

* Champions Daring Doves received prize money Rs.2.25 Lacs

* Runners up  Inspiring Eagles received prize money Rs.1.75 Lacs

* Semi finalist Graceful Gulls and Sensational Skylarks were given cash prize of Rs.50000/- each

* Eshan Naqvi from Daring Doves was named Player of the Tournament and was presented with a Vespa scooter.

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