Srikanth pulls out of PBL to focus on international events

Ace Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on Monday pulled out of upcoming Premier Bminton League (PBL) to focus on international events ahe of 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 26-year-old from Guntur, who h guided Bangalore Raptors to ir maiden title win in last PBL, will t feature in fifth edition scheduled to be held from January 20 to February 9.

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'It's a tough ro ahe': Kidambi Srikanth

"It's a tough ro ahe. Need to go full throttle and fulfill expectations that lie on me. Hence, I won't be playing PBL this year to focus more on International events. Wish @blr_raptors all very best and hope for a smashing season this year as well," Srikanth wrote on his twitter handle.

Srikanth is currently enduring a winless streak since claiming four titles in 2017. He h reached finals of India Open earlier this year. He has been battling form and fitness issues and has slipped to world 11. He me it to semifinals of Hong Kong Open earlier this month.

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Saina Nehwal h also backed out of PBL

London Games bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, who is also going through a b patch, h withdrawn from PBL on Sunday to prepare herself for next international season.Being pre-Olympic year, shuttlers across globe are trying to stock up ranking points to make cut for Tokyo Olympics to be held from July 24 to August 9, 2020. Olympic qualification period is between April 29, 2019, and April 26, 2020, with ranking list published on April 30 to be used to decide spots.

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