Joy for Sen family as both brothers Chirag and Lakshya named in Indian squad for BATC

From hilly terrains of Almora to bylanes of Bangalore and now toger in national team, it has been quite a journey for Sen brors -- Lakshya and Chirag.

While Lakshya was first to make a mark on international circuit, newly-crowned Senior National champion Chirag on Tuesday joined him in Indian team for Bminton Asia Team Championships scheduled to held in Shah Alam, Malaysia from February 13-19.

"It is a big moment for us as a family to see both of m in Indian team. From where y started as kids to reach this stage, I feel quite emotional as a far and as a coach. I feel extremely proud," an emotional far DK Sen, also an accomplished coach, told PTI from Bengaluru.

"I am yet to speak to m as y are currently in Kuala Lumpur for Malaysia Open," ded Sen senior, who h stints at NIS Bhopal, Meerut before joining SAI Almora Centre in 1991.

Bminton runs in Sen family with DK Sen picking up sport from his far, who won several medals competing in All India Civil services tournaments. He, in fact, played a crucial role in setting up of SAI centre in Almora, which has produced some quality players like 2023 national champion Anupama Uphyaya.

Between two brors, it was Chirag who showed early interest in bminton.

"Chirag wanted to be a bminton player, while Lakshya didn't show any interest initially, but he used to come for training and slowly started picking up sport." When DK Sen decided to send his elder son to Prakash Pukone Bminton Acemy (PPBA) in Bengaluru, Lakshya too accompanied Chirag but since he was too young n, initially y decided against it but looking at enthusiasm of little kid y decided to take both brors in.

"Chirag and Lakshya have always been toger. y started in Almora under my guidance and n stayed toger in PPBA. In fact, Chirag was one who used to take care of Lakshya when y were alone in Bengaluru. He was always re for him," DK Sen said.

DK Sen narrates once two brors played against each or in an under-13 All India sub-junior ranking boy's doubles final.

"Chirag h won match and Lakshya cried a lot as he never liked giving away points but we realised later it was his strength." Chirag, 25, has been a regular in domestic circuit for last few years. He won 2020 Kenya International challenge but never could get a breakthrough in senior circuit.

Lakshya, on or hand, proved his worth early on junior circuit and h a smooth transition into seniors, having won two Super 500 titles -- India Open and Cana Open --, a 2021 world championships bronze and silver at All England Championships.

For Chirag, big moment came in Guwahati last month when he went on to win Senior National champions, a feat which Lakshya couldn't achieve, having reached final twice in 2017 and 2019.

In Guwahati, Lakshya me an exit at quarterfinals but with Chirag reaching semifinals, he cancelled his flights and stayed back to support his elder bror.

"Right from childhood, y have been very close. ir birthdays may be on different dates but cake always h both ir names and y would cut it toger," DK Sen said.

"re has never been any rivalry between m. y have always shared a strong bonding. I hope y can now make country proud," he signed off.