India Open Super 750: After breakthrough year, Ayush Shetty looks to take next big step, starting with familiar challenge against Lakshya Sen

Ayush Shetty got cheeky when asked about playing in his debut India Open Super 750 tournament.

“It’s my first time at the India Open. I have always wanted to play here. I will be looking for home support even though I’m playing home favourite Lakshya Sen,” Ayush said ahead of Tuesday’s much-looked-forward-to clash.

Currently ranked 32 in men’s singles, Ayush had a breakthrough season last year winning the US Open Super 500 title, and defeating established names such as Chou Tien Chen, Loh Kean Yew and Kodai Naraoka in 2025.

Most recently, he defeated local favourite Lee Zii Jia at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, something he can take inspiration from when playing Lakshya in the first round of the India Open at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Ayush has been on a consistent rise since his bronze medal at the 2023 Junior World Championships. But the transition from to the senior level hasn’t been easy.

“You have to play so many good players and stay consistent but I’ve managed to do pretty well. My consistency helped me break into the top 30 and the plan is to enter the top 20 or top 15 in the world,” he said.

Last week, Ayush lost to world number 1 Shi Yuqi in the quarter-finals in Malaysia after winning the second game, and reflected on the lessons.

“Playing a top player like Shi is very challenging. I had a lead in the first game but he won it. I fought back hard in the second and pushed it to a decider. However, physically he is much stronger than me and that’s what made the difference,” Ayush told The Indian Express. “After that match, I have clarity that I need to improve a lot in order to compete against the world’s best.”

Apart from playing the top players, Ayush is also getting a taste of being in the limelight and playing big tournaments.

“It’s a mental challenge and a new one for me. But I am excited to play in tournaments like the All England and the Super 1000s. Given that I have played the top players already, I know the intensity and how to navigate my way,” he said.

Ayush will have a lot of opportunities to showcase his prowess in a packed 2026 with the Asian Games added to regular tour events and the World Championships in August, to be held on the home soil.

Ayush has trained alongside two-time Olympic Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen under Danish legend Peter Gade.

Last month during a promotional event, Gade had mentioned that Ayush needs to work on his power.

“Ayush is the next Indian shuttler in line. He needs to build a strong base physically. His defence is good and attack comes naturally to him. He needs to build himself strong physically,” Gade had told this newspaper.

“In order to move from the top 30-top 20 in the world and into the top five-top 10 in the world, you need the base to be stronger. Playing style and technical things are set after a certain age but one can always catch up on the physical aspect of the game.”

“IThere is a lot of room for improvement in endurance and the power part of my game. I have worked with Peter on it and I’ll keep improving with time,” Ayush said.

Both Ayush and World number 13 Lakshya come from the Centre for Badminton Excellence (CBA), formerly known as Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy (PPBA).

“It’s a bit unfortunate that Indian fans will see two of us clashing in the very first round. But I am excited to face him and it is going to be a good match,” said Ayush.

The two have faced each other twice (Australian Open and Hong Kong Open) with Lakshya winning on both occasions.

“We had some great matches last year, although I lost both of them. I hope to be on the winning side this year.”