[Saba Sports News] Over the past month or more, the meteoric rise of men’s singles player Ayush Shetty has undoubtedly given Indian badminton a strong boost. Many stories about Ayush’s growth have been shared by his mother. From an early age, he excelled not only at chess but also in academic studies. Faced with the choice between further education and a badminton career, his parents ultimately decided to support him in pursuing professional badminton. To chase his dream, his mother moved with Ayush and his younger sister to Bengaluru. Since then, his passion for badminton has gradually turned into an unwavering dedication that lasts to this day.
There is a striking resemblance between Ayush and Danish star Viktor Axelsen. The similarity lies not only in their shared height of 6 feet 4 inches, but also in their attacking style and all-court coverage ability. During a training camp in Dubai last year, the Danish superstar personally praised the world No.18 rising star, saying his playing style is “very much like his own”. This is only the beginning of Ayush’s career, yet he has already drawn serious attention from many senior players. He has claimed scalps over world No.7 Li Shifeng, world No.4 Jonatan Christie, as well as Kunlavut Vitidsarn — formerly world No.1 and currently world No.2.
Having just turned 21 a few days ago, Ayush once again became the focal point in India’s bid for the Thomas Cup title. Making his debut at this premier team event in Horsens, Denmark, the young talent shone on the big stage and helped India secure a bronze medal. Still, Ayush is well aware that this is just his starting point.
In the editor’s opinion, Ayush is not only the most impactful young men’s singles talent in Indian badminton, but also symbolizes India’s transition from individual sporadic brilliance to systematic overall rise in the sport. If he can stay fit and refine his technical details, he is poised to cement his place among the world’s top players in the coming years and even emerge as a strong contender for an Olympic medal.