Double Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu heaped praise on Ayush Shetty after the World No. 25 stunned defending champion and World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn at the Badminton Asia Championship 2026, becoming only the second Indian ever to reach the men’s singles final at the continental event.

“I have consistently maintained that he is a generational talent. In terms of pure natural ability, he stands right up there with the very best young players I have come across. There is a prodigious level of talent in him, and it is something you immediately recognize when you see him on court,” Sindhu said in a social media post.

Sindhu proceeded to dissect the technique of Ayush, who had also won the BWF World Junior Championships bronze medal in 2023. She said, “Physically, he has a strong presence on court. His height gives him excellent reach, and he already possesses a very deep, heavy smash that can put opponents under serious pressure.

READ: Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Ayush shocks World No. 1 Vitidsarn, becomes second Indian ever to reach men’s singles final

“What also stands out is his defensive instinct. He stays very low, reads the shuttle well, and shows a natural ability to absorb pressure in rallies.”

Ayush had been extensively training with Irwansyah Adi Pratama, Sindhu’s coach, and the 2019 world champion for three weeks in the lead-up to the tournament. His technical superiority was on full display as he took down Thailand’s Vitidsarn 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 in an hour and 15 minutes in Ningbo.

“Like any young athlete with immense potential, there are areas that will determine how far he ultimately goes,“ Sindhu said, before adding: “Fitness and the ability to remain injury-free will be absolutely critical in shaping his long-term career, and that is something we must continue to focus on carefully.”

Published on Apr 11, 2026