Sabasports Match Preview
Syed Modi International, Jia Heng Jason TEH, Ayush Shetty
Kickoff Time: 2025-11-25 to 2025-11-30 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
The 2025 Syed Modi India International will officially commence on November 25 in Lucknow, India. Classified as a BWF Super 300 event, the tournament boasts a total prize money of US$240,000. Due to its lower-tier status, many top-ranked players have opted to skip this event, resulting in a relatively less star-studded field. A look at the draw for this Syed Modi International reveals that the participants consist largely of young players and home nation contenders.
In men’s singles, top seed Jia Heng Jason Teh is positioned in the top half of the draw and will face Indian local player Rithvik Sanjeevi Satish Kumar in the first round. In the recent Korea Masters, Teh displayed dominant form. In the final against Japanese newcomer Yudai Okimoto, Teh controlled the tempo from the outset. He was firing on all cylinders in attack while remaining rock-solid in defense, ultimately defeating his opponent in straight games with a convincing 21-14, 21-15 scoreline to claim the title. This marks Teh’s second BWF World Tour title this season and the second crown of his career, following his victory at the 2025 Thailand Masters, successfully ending a nine-month title drought. Teh embodies the typical characteristics of Southeast Asian badminton players: his net play is exceptionally refined with varied deception, allowing him to create attacking opportunities through skillful racket work. Furthermore, his rear-court offense, particularly his jumping smashes, is highly threatening and well-connected. Once he finds an opening, he can sustain relentless pressure. Additionally, Teh demonstrates courage in crucial moments, proving himself a player with strong mental fortitude.
In the bottom half of the draw, Indian local player Ayush Shetty is the tournament’s second seed. He will play against Malaysian youngster KOK Jing Hong in his opening match. Shetty is an offensive-minded player, currently ranked World No. 32. His height of 1.95m gives him a significant advantage in attack. Shetty possesses considerable speed and stamina, rarely finding himself out of position or losing focus during rallies. A powerful forehand smash is his strongest weapon. However, Shetty’s net play is extremely inconsistent, and his basic skills in lifting and clearing are not yet solid, leading to a relatively high error rate. His shot variety is also somewhat limited. Moreover, his footwork can be disjointed, especially when adjusting after being deceived by an opponent’s trick shot, which subsequently affects his stroke execution. Overall, Shetty remains a young player with significant room for growth, and hopes are high that he can eventually become the standard-bearer for Indian men’s singles in the near future.
Although this Syed Modi International lacks the presence of many top stars, it presents an opportunity and a challenge for the younger generation. Jia Heng Jason Teh is undoubtedly the most formidable player in this event, while Ayush Shetty’s status as a local player guarantees him immense support from the home crowd. Whether these two will meet in the final is a compelling question full of suspense. Let’s sit back and enjoy the exciting performances the players will deliver in the days to come.