Lakshya Sen | The Unfinished Symphony of Indian Badminton
Let’s talk about Lakshya Sen . And I mean, really talk about him. Not just the latest scores or the tournament results you can find anywhere. Let’s sit down with our metaphorical coffee and unpack the puzzle that is India’s most electrifying, and at times, most frustrating, badminton talent.
Here’s the thing. Watching Lakshya Sen play is an experience. It’s not the steady, powerful rhythm of a PV Sindhu or the gritty, defensive masterclass of a Saina Nehwal in her prime. It’s chaos. It’s a lightning-fast blur of blistering smashes, impossibly delicate net shots, and a court coverage that seems to defy physics. He plays badminton like a jazz musician all improvisation, raw feeling, and breathtaking speed.
But that’s also why, for every jaw-dropping win, there’s been a head-scratching loss. His journey isn’t a straight line to the top; it’s a series of explosive peaks and deep, quiet valleys. And that, right there, is what makes him so fascinating. The real question isn’t if he’s good. We know he is. The question is why his journey, with all its turbulence, is so incredibly important for the future of Indian badminton.
The Almora Express | More Than Just a Prodigy
You can’t understand the player without understanding where he comes from. The story of a young boy from the hills of Almora, Uttarakhand, making it big is the kind of narrative we love. But it’s more than just a feel-good tale. It’s the very foundation of his game.
Badminton is in his blood. His grandfather was a player, his father, D.K. Sen, is a well-respected coach. He wasn’t just taught the game; he was raised in its language. When he was just a kid, his father made the monumental decision to move the family to Bengaluru so Lakshya and his brother Chirag could train at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. Think about that for a second. That’s an entire family uprooting their lives based on the belief in a 10-year-old’s potential.
This early, intensive training under legends like Prakash Padukone and Vimal Kumar didn’t just shape his skills; it instilled a kind of fearlessness. He was a prodigy who was expected to win, and for a long time, he did. He tore through the junior circuit, becoming the junior world number one. This wasn’t a slow burn; it was a rocket launch. And that context is crucial because it set the impossibly high expectations that would later become both a blessing and a burden.
The Anatomy of an “Un-Indian” Badminton Style
What fascinates me most is how he plays. For decades, the template for Indian singles players was built on endurance, retrieval, and a strong baseline game. We produced warriors who could outlast their opponents in marathon rallies. Think of the legendary battles Saina and Sindhu have fought.
Lakshya Sen is different. He’s an attacker, through and through.
His game is built on three pillars:
- Relentless Pace: He pushes the tempo from the very first shot. He doesn’t want to get into long, grinding rallies. He wants to finish the point. Quickly. This high-risk, high-reward style is thrilling to watch but leaves little room for error.
- Deceptive Net Play: This is his secret weapon. His touch at the net is sublime. He can play tight spinning net shots that die just over the tape or execute a flick serve that catches opponents completely off-guard.
- Explosive Attack: His jump smash is a cannonball. But it’s the steepness and angle he generates that make it so lethal. He combines this with a flat, driving game that forces opponents onto their back foot.
This style is more akin to the Southeast Asian or Danish school of badminton. In fact, his brief training stint with Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen in Dubai felt like a perfect fit. It was a meeting of minds that favour aggressive, front-foot badminton. While many factors contribute to a player’s performance, understanding the ‘why’ behind a utility company’s charges can sometimes be just as complex, as seen in this breakdown of a CESC bill explained . But in badminton, the ‘why’ of Lakshya’s game is clear: it’s a conscious break from tradition, an attempt to build a new Indian prototype.
The Slump, The Surgery, and The Slow Climb Back
So, what happens when a rocket runs into turbulence? After a phenomenal 2022 where he reached the All England final, won the India Open, and secured a Commonwealth Games gold, things went sideways.
He started losing. Badly. First-round exits became common, and the spark seemed to dim. We later learned he had undergone surgery for a deviated septum post the World Championships in August 2022. This wasn’t just a minor procedure; it affected his breathing, his stamina, and his recovery time on court. For a player whose game is built entirely on relentless physicality, it was a devastating blow.
Let’s be honest, the slump was more than just physical. The pressure, the expectations, and the mental toll of playing at the highest level while your body isn’t cooperating is immense. This is the part of an athlete’s journey we often gloss over. It’s the lonely hours in rehab, the frustration of not being able to execute what your mind wants, the public criticism. His climb back, culminating in his win at the Canada Open in 2023 , wasn’t just a return to form; it was a testament to his resilience. It showed us he wasn’t just a flashy prodigy; he was a fighter.
Why Lakshya Sen is Indian Badminton’s Most Important ‘What If?’
This brings us back to the central point. Why does he matter so much? Because Lakshya Sen represents the future. He is Indian badminton’s great experiment. His success could prove that an Indian player can dominate the world with an aggressive, fast-paced game.
He is the bridge between the old guard and the next generation. If he can find consistency and that’s the big ‘if’ he has the potential to be a perennial top-5 player and a threat in every single tournament he enters, from the BWF World Tour to the Olympics. The raw talent is undeniable, something seen in other athletes who possess that ‘uncoachable’ quality, much like the cricketer Mohd Siraj . It’s that innate fire that can’t be taught.
He forces us to ask important questions. Can this ultra-aggressive style be sustained over a long career without burnout or injury? Can he develop a ‘Plan B’ for days when his ‘Plan A’ attack isn’t landing? Finding the answer to these questions is his next great challenge.
Watching Lakshya Sen is to watch a story unfold in real-time. It’s an unfinished symphony, full of breathtaking crescendos and quiet, melancholic interludes. We don’t know how it will end, and that’s precisely why we can’t look away. He’s not just playing for medals; he’s playing to define a new era for an entire nation of badminton lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakshya Sen
What is Lakshya Sen’s current world ranking?
Lakshya Sen’s ranking fluctuates with tournament results. For the most up-to-date information, it’s always best to check the officialBWF World Rankingwebsite directly. He has consistently been ranked among the top 20 players in the world.
Who is Lakshya Sen’s coach?
His primary coach and mentor has long been U. Vimal Kumar at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru. His father, D.K. Sen, also plays a crucial role in his coaching setup. He has also famously trained with Danish Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen.
What was the ‘nose surgery’ that affected his career?
Lakshya underwent surgery for a deviated septum. This condition can obstruct airflow, making breathing difficult, which is a significant handicap for an elite athlete. The recovery from this surgery was a major factor in his performance dip during late 2022 and early 2023.
Has Lakshya Sen qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Yes, Lakshya Sen officially secured his spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics. He finished 13th in the Race to Paris rankings, comfortably qualifying as one of the top two Indian men’s singles players alongside HS Prannoy.
What are some of his biggest career achievements so far?
His major achievements include winning a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, reaching the final of the prestigious All England Open in 2022, and winning several BWF World Tour titles like the India Open and Canada Open.
How old is Lakshya Sen?
Born on August 16, 2001, Lakshya Sen is still in the early phase of his senior career, which makes his accomplishments and potential even more exciting for the future of Indian badminton .
