Indian badminton sensation Lakshya Sen has made waves at the Paris Olympics with his incredible athleticism and daring shots. His viral behind-the-back flick against Jonatan Christie, reminiscent of Virat Kohli’s iconic six, has not only captivated fans but also fueled Sen’s ambition to become the “Virat Kohli of Indian badminton.”
At the Paris Olympics 2024, India’s rising badminton star Lakshya Sen delivered a moment that captured the hearts of sports enthusiasts worldwide. Trailing Jonatan Christie, a medal favourite, Sen pulled off an incredible behind-the-back flick shot to win a crucial rally and take a 1-0 lead in the match. The jaw-dropping shot instantly went viral, drawing comparisons to Virat Kohli’s iconic six over long-on off Haris Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Lakshya Sen’s Aspirations
During a podcast with Ranveer Allahbadia, Lakshya Sen was shown the memes comparing his shot to Kohli’s heroics. When asked if he would accept the comparison, Sen enthusiastically replied, “Why not!” He further elaborated, “I mean, at the same time he (Kohli) has done a lot for Indian cricket and yes, I want to be the Virat Kohli of Indian badminton in the coming years.”
Lakshya Sen revealed that while he had practiced the behind-the-back shot a few times, he had never attempted it in a match situation due to the unpredictability of the outcome. However, with the score at 19-18 in his favor, Sen knew he had to go for it. “I was just looking to retrieve, thinking I will play an attacking shot when I get a chance. I played that shot with the same mindset. Because at 19-18, I didn’t want to let the shuttle go. I saw the shuttle going behind my head so the only way I could reach it was like that,” he explained.
Lakshya Sen’s Historic Run at the Olympics
Lakshya Sen’s viral shot not only won him the match against Jonatan Christie but also propelled him to become the first Indian to advance to the semi-finals of the badminton men’s singles event at the Paris Olympics. Despite losing to defending champion Viktor Axelsen in the semi-finals and missing out on a bronze medal against Lee Zia Jia of Malaysia, Sen’s performance was a testament to his immense talent and potential.
As Lakshya Sen continues his journey towards greatness, he carries the hopes and aspirations of a nation that has long awaited a badminton superstar to match the achievements of Virat Kohli in cricket. With his talent, work ethic, and the inspiration drawn from Kohli, Sen is poised to write his own legacy and inspire the next generation of Indian badminton champions.
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