'A Dream Come True': India's Rising Badminton Stars Ayush Shetty Ready for World Championships Debut on Home Soil

India's next generation of badminton stars is set to make its mark at the BWF World Championships, with Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, and women's doubles pair Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam preparing for their maiden appearance when the tournament returns to India after a 17-year gap.

The World Championships will be held from August 17 to 23, with the four youngsters joining an Indian contingent led by established names such as PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and men's doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

Ayush Faces Defending Champion in Tough Opener

For 21-year-old Karnataka shuttler Ayush Shetty, the tournament marks the fulfilment of a childhood dream.

"To make my debut at the World Championships, and to do so when India is hosting the event after 17 years, is incredibly special," Ayush told media.

He has, however, been handed one of the toughest possible draws, facing defending champion and world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in the opening round of the men's singles.

Ayush enters the tournament after an impressive rise on the international circuit. The 2023 BWF World Junior Championships bronze medallist won the US Open Super 300 title in 2025 and this year became the first Indian men's singles player since Dinesh Khanna in 1965 to reach the final of the Badminton Asia Championships.

His run to the Asian final included victories over former world champion Li Shi Feng, former Asian champion Jonatan Christie, and Paris Olympics silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn, before settling for silver.

"I've worked hard to be here and I want to make the most of this opportunity. Competing against some of the best players in the world is the ultimate challenge," Ayush said.

Unnati Hooda Eyes Strong Start

Seventeen-year-old Unnati Hooda will also make her World Championships debut after establishing herself as one of India's brightest young prospects.

The Haryana player became the youngest Indian to win a BWF World Tour title when she claimed the Odisha Open Super 100 crown in 2022 at the age of 14.

She further enhanced her reputation by defeating former world champion PV Sindhu at the China Open Super 1000 in 2025 and also won the Polish Open this year.

Unnati will begin her campaign against Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar.

"This is one of the biggest moments of my career so far. Making my first World Championships is something I've worked towards for a long time, and to have that opportunity in India makes it even more special," she said.

Women's Doubles Pair Ready for Biggest Test

Women's doubles pair Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam have also earned their maiden World Championships berth following consistent performances on the BWF World Tour.

Simran trained under Uday Pawar at Mumbai's Goregaon Sports Club, while Kavipriya progressed through Tamil Nadu's domestic badminton circuit.

The duo has climbed to a career-high world ranking of No. 38 and will face Spain's Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez in the opening round.

With India hosting badminton's showpiece event for the first time since 2009, the tournament presents the country's emerging stars with an opportunity to announce themselves on the sport's biggest stage while competing before home supporters.