BY IVASHREE
Once again, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has been able to draw the attention of all sports enthusiasts with his brilliant performance in the recently held All England Open Badminton Championships, considered one of the biggest and most prestigious badminton championships in the world. The latest performance by the Indian shuttler in the tournament has been a positive sign for Indian badminton in the upcoming season.
Currently one of the best male singles players in India, Sen has been gradually getting back to form after passing through a tough time in the last year or so. The 22-year-old Indian badminton player has been displaying his attacking speed as well as defensive skills in the All England Open Badminton Championships, which has again been on display in the ongoing tournament.
The Indian shuttler first came into the international spotlight in 2022 when he was declared the runner-up at the prestigious All England Championships, becoming only the fifth Indian men’s singles player to attain this position in the tournament’s history. Since then, there has been a lot expected from Sen, especially after he led India to its historic Thomas Cup win in 2022.
Sen seems to be getting back to his best form that earned him a spot in the top 10 in the world rankings in 2023, based on his performance thus far in the ongoing campaign. He was known for his fiery rallies and swift movements on the court, and it was seen that he was more composed and measured in his game, even in long rallies. At the top of the rankings are players from China, Indonesia, and Denmark in men’s singles, and these strides are a must for Sen.
Moreover, Sen’s return has implications for Indian badminton as a whole. While it is true that over the course of the last decade or so, Indian badminton has seen several top players emerge, a steady supply of top players in men’s singles has been a major challenge for Indian badminton. Sen’s return could be exactly what Indian badminton needs to be steady in big tournaments, as younger players are still developing on the international circuit, and players can be inconsistent.
His growth can also be seen as a reflection of the strength of India’s emerging badminton circuit, where sportsmen can always have an opportunity to compete at the highest level, owing to improved training facilities. Sen is also seen as an emerging force in Indian men’s singles badminton in international events in the future.
At the moment, however, his appearance in the All England Open is not just a personal resurrection for Sen; it is a timely reminder that Indian badminton players can still hold their own against the world’s best.