Indian badminton talent Ayush Shetty is on the verge of a historic achievement as he prepares to take on China’s Shi Yu Qi in the men’s singles final at the Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday.The 20-year-old was the breakout star of the tournament, putting together an impressive display against some of the best in the world. He is now one win away from a landmark title that would mark a defining moment in his young career and a major milestone for Indian badminton.
Semi-final heroics: Shetty stuns world no
Shetty produced a performance of immense character in the semi-finals, defeating reigning world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a thrilling three-match encounter. After a one-sided opening game, the Indian showed resilience and tactical maturity to fight back, turning the game around with aggressive shooting and improved control in the passing game.
Shi Yu Qi cruises to the finals
In contrast, Shi Yu Qi had a much more straightforward passage to the finals. The Chinese star produced a dominant performance in her semi-final, winning in straight games with authority. His control of set pieces, sharp net play and ability to dictate tempo ensured that he rarely allowed the opposition to gain a foothold in the match.On Saturday, 20-year-old Ayush dethroned Kunvalut 10-21, 21-19, 21-17, while world number two Shi outclassed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 21-9, 21-13 in the semifinals of the Asian Badminton Championships.
When and where to watch live
- Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM IST
- Live Streaming: Available on official Badminton Asia Facebook and YouTube channels
- TV Broadcast: No live TV broadcast in India
China’s Shi Yu Qi leads the head-to-head record against India’s Ayush Shetty 2-0. Today, the two shuttles are scheduled to meet for the third time. While Shi Yu Qi has won both previous meetings, their last meeting at the Malaysia Open in January was a hard-fought three-game battle, suggesting Shetty is closing the gap.
