Ayush Shetty Breaks Into Badminton's Elite With Series of Upsets

Ayush Shetty, 21, has broken into badminton's elite ranks with a string of victories over top-10 players, culminating in a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup and a run to the final of the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships. Ranked 25th at the time, he defeated then-world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn, No. 4 Jonatan Christie, and No. 7 Li Shi Feng, before beating reigning All England champion Lin Chun-Yi of Chinese Taipei in the Thomas Cup quarterfinals.

Shetty also claimed the 2025 US Open Super 300 title and is now ranked world No. 18, joining compatriot Lakshya Sen (No. 11) as a cornerstone of India's men's singles challenge. His rise comes amid a resurgence in Indian badminton, which had only two major titles in 2025 before Shetty and Sen's 2026 breakthroughs.

Coaches credit Shetty's 6'4" frame and aggressive net play for his success. U. Vimal Kumar, chief coach at the Centre for Badminton Excellence in Bengaluru, said Shetty's ability to consistently challenge top players marks him as a future contender. Krishna Kumar, his childhood coach, recalled early signs of promise despite a lack of junior national titles.

Shetty's performances have positioned him as a key figure for India ahead of the BWF World Championships in New Delhi in August. The national team is expected to build around Shetty and Sen for the upcoming Olympic cycle. The Badminton Association of India will review final squad selections by July.