Hyderabad: Reigning PBL champions Hyderabad Hunters are back to defend their title this year with star campaigner P. V. Sindhu in ranks. The Hunters will start their title defence in the new season of PBL in Mumbai on December 22 against Pune7Aces. The match serves up a mouth-watering contest between Sindhu and Hunters’ former captain Carolina Marin.

The Hunters look a formidable lot with other top players such as Lee Hyun Il (Korea), Bodin Issara (Thailand), Mark Caljouw (The Netherlands), Kim Sa Rang (Korea) and Eom Hye Won (Korea). The team also has a young crop of players like Sai Uttejitha Rao, Rahul Yadav, Arun George and Meghana Jakkampudi.





Sindhu was thrilled about representing the Hunters at the annual badminton league. “Hyderabad is my home city and I could not have asked for a better team. I promise the fans that there will be a lot of high-intensity battles this season, starting with my first match against Carolina,” she said speaking to reporters on Monday.

The 23-year-old ranked the side high. “We are a strong team and are definitely aiming to claim the crown once again,” she said.

Hyderabad Hunters will play their maiden match of the season in Mumbai at the National Sports Club of India on December 22. Thereafter, they will host two matches at their home turf in Gachibowli from January 25 to 28, 2019.