The future of Indian badminton can wait awhile. Even the past had no bearing on this moment. For it was Lakshya Sen seizing the present, this moment now, in a split-second reaction, that will waltz into any highlights package.

It was the Australian Open Super 500 quarterfinals, and it has been a long fruitless season, this 2025, and in front of him was India’s most touted future talent. But Sen pulled out an absolute stunner that ended in a 23-21, 21-11 win – the first set sizzle completely deflating young Ayush, 20, and teaching him about the hunger to win.

The duo often train at Bangalore ’s Padukone academy, and Ayush has served as a sparring partner for Sen’s Olympics preparation. They know each other’s games inside out. Ayush held the advantage of physicality with his 6-foot-4 att

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