‘I Want to Be the Virat Kohli of Indian Badminton’: Lakshya Sen Is Uber-Confident After Olympics

Lakshya Sen, one of India's brightest badminton stars, has set his sights on becoming the "Virat Kohli of Indian badminton" despite his heart-wrenching loss at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The young shuttler, who carried the hopes of millions, performed admirably throughout the tournament but narrowly missed out on securing a medal.

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Lakshya Sen wants to become Virat Kohli of Indian badminton

In a candid conversation on the TRS podcast, Lakshya Sen expressed his deep admiration for Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli. "I want to be the Virat Kohli of Indian badminton in the coming years – he has done a lot for Indian cricket," Lakshya said, acknowledging the immense impact Kohli has had on the sport. 

This statement reflects not just his ambition but also his desire to leave a lasting legacy in Indian badminton, similar to what Virat Kohli has achieved in cricket.

The Paris Olympics saw Lakshya Sen reaching the semifinals, a remarkable achievement for the 23-year-old. However, his journey to the podium was cut short by Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the reigning world champion. Lakshya fought valiantly but eventually succumbed to Axelsen’s relentless attack, losing the match in straight games.

Following the semifinal loss, Lakshya Sen had another opportunity to claim a medal in the bronze medal match against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia. In a fiercely contested match, Lakshya gave his all but fell just short, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat. 

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Despite the setbacks, Lakshya Sen remains optimistic about his future in the sport. His resolve to emulate Virat Kohli’s discipline, work ethic, and leadership on the badminton court speaks volumes about his aspirations. 

Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has been away from action and is currently enjoying some quality time with this family. After the T20 World Cup triumph in June, Kohli left for London to join his wife Anushka Sharma and his children. He returned to play three ODIs against Sri Lanka early in August and then went back to his family in London. Kohli will next be seen in action during the Test series against Bangladesh.