Lakshya Sen Aspires to Become the ‘Virat Kohli of Indian Badminton’ After Stellar Paris Olympics Run

Lakshya Sen, the young badminton sensation from Almora, has been making waves in the Indian sports scene, particularly after his commendable performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Although Sen narrowly missed out on clinching the bronze medal, his journey through the tournament—where he defeated several higher-ranked opponents—earned him widespread praise and solidified his reputation as one of India’s most promising athletes.

At just 23 years old, Sen already boasts an impressive resume. He has claimed multiple tournament victories, finished as the runner-up at the prestigious All England Open in 2022, and played a crucial role in India’s historic Thomas Cup victory the same year. 

Additionally, Sen added a Commonwealth Games gold medal to his collection in Hangzhou, further establishing himself as a key figure in Indian badminton.

Recently, Sen made headlines for his bold reaction to comparisons with Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. Social media has been abuzz with memes and discussions likening Sen’s on-court exploits to Kohli’s prowess on the cricket field, particularly after a remarkable shot Sen executed during a rally against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie. 

The shot, a no-look reverse backhand, drew parallels to Kohli’s legendary six against Harris Rauf in the T20 World Cup 2022, a moment that left fans in awe.

During an appearance on the Ranveer Allahabadia Show, Sen was asked about the comparisons with Kohli and how fans have started calling him the “Virat Kohli of badminton.” The host posed the question: “It’s cool to be called Virat Kohli of any field, would you take that compliment?”

Sen’s response was confident and aspirational. “Why not? I mean, at the same time he has done a lot for Indian cricket, and yes, I want to be the Virat Kohli of Indian badminton in the coming years,” Sen stated. His words reflect his ambition to not only excel in badminton but also to become a household name, much like Kohli has in cricket.

Beyond the accolades and comparisons, Sen is committed to improving his game further. After his intense Olympic campaign, he is set to head to the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre in Salzburg, Austria. 

The focus of this training stint will be on enhancing his fitness and endurance—areas that his coach, Vimal Kumar, has identified as crucial for taking Sen’s game to the next level.

In a recent interview with PTI, Kumar emphasized the importance of fitness in modern badminton, particularly for a player of Sen’s caliber. “It’s important for Lakshya to improve his fitness to take his game to a new level altogether,” Kumar noted, highlighting the rigorous demands of the sport at the highest level.

Sen’s training in Austria will last for a week, during which he will work intensively on his physical conditioning. This preparation is essential as he gears up for a return to competitive tournaments in September, where he will look to build on his recent successes and continue his rise in the badminton world.

As Lakshya Sen strives to emulate the success and stature of Virat Kohli, he remains focused on his growth and development as a player. With his eyes set on future victories and perhaps an Olympic medal in the coming years, Sen is poised to become a trailblazer not just in Indian badminton, but in the broader landscape of Indian sports.