<p>Taufiq Hidayat is a maverick, ruled by heart and instincts. He is frank and one of the few colourful figures of world badminton. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Now retired, the Indonesian Olympic champion finds it exciting to be a part of the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) but cautions not to expect too much out of him. <br /><br />Playing for Hyderabad Hotshots, he is also one of the few to have enjoyed crowd support in India and says he wants to help the country’s rising stars through this league. Ironically, his farewell was spoiled by a promising India player B Sai Praneeth in March in the Indonesia Open, which Taufiq had won six times.<br /><br />"IBL is a good concept. Indian players are doing well on the international stage. Today, there are many men singles players in India performing. The tournament will be of huge help for them," Taufiq said.<br /><br />“I have not played since I retired so do not expect too much from me. I have joined the league so that young players can gain from my experience. I want to give something back to the game.”<br /><br />The former World Champion feels Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei have broken away from the rest of the players in playing standards and their retirements will even out the field in the men’s singles.<br /><br />"Once these two players are out the game will open up in men’s singles. Other players play more or less at the same level,” he said.<br /><br />Taufiq, who has been the part of the Chinese League, felt the addition of women’s doubles would have enhanced the quality of the tournament. “The league in China is very competitive. It is based on the Sudirman Cup format. IBL is the same but the presence of women’s doubles would have made it more exciting.”<br /><br />Taufiq felt the Hyderabad Hotshots, with Saina Nehwal as its icon player, is among the top contenders to win the tournament.<br /><br />"We have Saina who is a big player. We have other good players and ours is a strong team. <br /><br />“But the team should not bank too much on me. It is not that I am not fit or training but I am playing in a competiton after some time,” he said.<br /><br />The Indonesian also believed that Chinese domination is under threat with the rise of other Asian players.<br /><br />"I was surprised to see Sindhu in the semifinals. I expected her to do well but was surprised to see her do so well. Till now Saina was the only one from India. But now she has Sindhu as support. It’s good for Indian badminton,” he noted.<br /><br />Hyderabad Hotshots play Awadhe Warriors on Thursday. Mumbai Masters play Banga Beats in the other match.<br /></p>
<p>Taufiq Hidayat is a maverick, ruled by heart and instincts. He is frank and one of the few colourful figures of world badminton. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Now retired, the Indonesian Olympic champion finds it exciting to be a part of the inaugural Indian Badminton League (IBL) but cautions not to expect too much out of him. <br /><br />Playing for Hyderabad Hotshots, he is also one of the few to have enjoyed crowd support in India and says he wants to help the country’s rising stars through this league. Ironically, his farewell was spoiled by a promising India player B Sai Praneeth in March in the Indonesia Open, which Taufiq had won six times.<br /><br />"IBL is a good concept. Indian players are doing well on the international stage. Today, there are many men singles players in India performing. The tournament will be of huge help for them," Taufiq said.<br /><br />“I have not played since I retired so do not expect too much from me. I have joined the league so that young players can gain from my experience. I want to give something back to the game.”<br /><br />The former World Champion feels Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei have broken away from the rest of the players in playing standards and their retirements will even out the field in the men’s singles.<br /><br />"Once these two players are out the game will open up in men’s singles. Other players play more or less at the same level,” he said.<br /><br />Taufiq, who has been the part of the Chinese League, felt the addition of women’s doubles would have enhanced the quality of the tournament. “The league in China is very competitive. It is based on the Sudirman Cup format. IBL is the same but the presence of women’s doubles would have made it more exciting.”<br /><br />Taufiq felt the Hyderabad Hotshots, with Saina Nehwal as its icon player, is among the top contenders to win the tournament.<br /><br />"We have Saina who is a big player. We have other good players and ours is a strong team. <br /><br />“But the team should not bank too much on me. It is not that I am not fit or training but I am playing in a competiton after some time,” he said.<br /><br />The Indonesian also believed that Chinese domination is under threat with the rise of other Asian players.<br /><br />"I was surprised to see Sindhu in the semifinals. I expected her to do well but was surprised to see her do so well. Till now Saina was the only one from India. But now she has Sindhu as support. It’s good for Indian badminton,” he noted.<br /><br />Hyderabad Hotshots play Awadhe Warriors on Thursday. Mumbai Masters play Banga Beats in the other match.<br /></p>
