A Saina Nehwal-inspired Hyderabad Hotshots consolidated their position by taking an early 2-0 lead in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) face-off against bottom-placed Banga Beats in Hyderabad. Saina won her match 21-17 14-21 11-8 against Ying Tai Tzu, after Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk gave the hosts a cracking start by staving off the challenge of India's top male shuttler Parupalli Kashyap 21-20 21-18. The HotShots took a 1-0 win after Saensomboonsuk defeated Kashyap to qualify for the semifinals.The two victories enabled Hyderabad to reach the top of the points table.