As Indian Badminton League (IBL) gets to the business end with the semifinal line-up complete, Danish great Tine Baun has raised an interesting debate on the type of shuttles used in the competition.
After losing to India’s latest sensation PV Sindhu of Awadhe Warriors, Mumbai Masters’ Tine blamed it on the fast shuttles. IBL is using Yonex Aerosensa 40 or AS-40 whereas internationally the players are used to playing with the AS-50.
‘It was too difficult to control the shuttles. My shots were going out all the time as the shuttles were too fast to control,’ a disappointed Tine remarked.
The Dane has the stature to speak out whereas her Indian counterparts are a little apprehensive to come out openly as their binding contracts prohibit them from saying anything which is in the nature of a complaint. But they are in agreement with the Dane that the shuttlecocks were too fast to encourage rallies.
‘It has become tougher with the shuttles as they are faster. It is difficult to control them because of the speed. But I can’t complain because it is same for everyone. It is not as if anyone has an advantage. Tipping does make a difference as it slows down the shuttle and makes the game a little more controllable,’ Pune Pistons icon player Ashwini Ponnappa said.
IBL chief referee Girish Natu said they are aware of the problem but could not change the shuttlecocks in the middle of the tournament. ‘We realised the problem after the league got underway and we have been tipping the shuttles to make them slower,’ Natu said.