3 min readApr 13, 2026 07:50 PM IST
Most Indians, have discovered the badminton phenomenon Ayush Shetty, silver medallist at Badminton Asia Championships, through a net-block he played against Chinese Li Shifeng that went viral.
In the clip, turned into reels set to funky music, Ayush Shetty sticks his racquet out at the net with an outstretched hand, hovering just above the net. The wow moment comes when Li Shifeng a formidably built Chinese leaps to Sen down a steep smash. And the Indian’s racquet precisely blocks the shot which tipples over to Shifeng’s side, for a cheeky point.
It’s bold and brutal on the Chinese, whose resolve almost crumbled after a totally unexpected defense.
Many questioned the legality of the shot. But it was totally within the rules, as the racquet was always on Ayush’s side. It was badminton’s version of an upper cut or ramp – simply Bouncing the shuttle back cleverly.
A 20 year old Indian Badminton talent Ayush Shetty beats WR7 & Li Shi Feng at Asia Badminton Championship !! 🇮🇳🔥
Look at his confidence !! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/WrxkfnoWMu
— 🇮🇳 Rupen Chowdhury 🚩 (@rupen_chowdhury) April 10, 2026
Speaking to the Indian Express, Ayush would reconstruct the moment that came after Shifeng was on a good run of points.
“In the Li Shifeng (Chinese World No 7) match, I had a slow start. But I also have a viral shot now,” he laughs recalling the moment. “It was a simple block at the net, but it changed the momentum of the match,” Ayush would explain the significance.
Not only did the cheeky Blick get him that immediatevpoint, he also, seemed to view it as a turning point. “Li Shifeng was getting points in a row till then. But after that I started enjoying the match, and played freely,” the World No 18 would say.
Ayush Shetty (L) wins silver in his maiden Badminton Asia Championships appearance. (Credit: Badminton Asia Championships)
India has had some brilliant net players in badminton. And the likes of Kidambi Srikanth, his favourite Indian player, are known for the net attack where they move swiftly and cut the shuttle as soon as it crosses over. But the moment went viral because Ayush had correctly guesses or ventured, where the possible Shifeng would land.
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Ayush would tell the Firstpost media in the media interaction that he knew he wouldn’t be able to pick the smash by movingbout, so he just took his chance.
“I had just lifted the shuttle, and instinctively stuck the racquet out,” he said, adding it was a compleyely unpracticedvmoment. “I’d never done a block like that before. But I was so happy after that, never expected it to go viral. It was crucial because I got the lead after that. Everything changed,” he gleefully said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
