Chennai (Tamil Nadu): World Champion PV Sindhu will take on rising star Gayatri Gopichand in the fifth season of the Premier Badminton League (PBL) which kicks off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on January 20. In the opening encounter, Hyderabad Hunters will lock horns with Chennai Superstarz. With the league returning to Chennai after two years, excitement will be high as top-class badminton action will continue here till January 24.

This will be the second consecutive season with Hyderabad Hunters for the Rio Olympic silver medallist, who led the Chennai franchise to title glory in the second season. With Chennai's Kirsty Gilmour playing at the Thailand Masters, this will be a priceless opportunity for the 16-year-old debutante Gopichand to hone her skills and gain confidence in front of home fans.