Srikanth reborn at 33: Victory over Victor Lai and the journey to find himself at China Masters 2026

When the numbers fall silent, my heart begins to listen. I apologized on live broadcast, but it took years to apologize to myself. The empty stadium is heartbreaking, but the midnight call from Busan still echoes in my memory. At the Shenzhen gymnasium, host of the 2026 China Masters – a BWF World Tour Super 750 event – Kidambi Srikanth, a 33-year-old Indian shuttler, wrote a real-life fairytale. He defeated Victor Lai, the Canadian world No. 9, with a score of 21-18, 21-19, securing his spot in the quarterfinals. It has been five years since Srikanth last reached the quarterfinals of a Super 750 event, and this milestone carries immense weight for a player who once topped the world rankings but has been in the shadows for five long years. Srikanth is no longer the fiery young man of 2026, when he stormed the badminton world with his aggressive style and claimed four Super Series titles in a single year. At 33, he faces a question every athlete must confront: is the peak behind him, or is there still a road ahead? His match against Victor Lai – a talented player 10 years his junior, who is at the top of his game with a World Championship bronze medal – was the sternest test. From the very first game, Srikanth displayed the composure of a veteran. He trailed 11-15 but never wavered. Drawing on his wealth of experience, he adjusted the tempo, altered his serve returns, and, most importantly, knew how to make his younger opponent cover extra ground. Srikanth no longer relies on the powerful smashes of his youth; instead, he chose intelligent shots that put Victor Lai under constant pressure. The 21-18 first-game victory did not fully convey the difficulty Srikanth endured. The second game was even tighter. Victor Lai, driven by the instinct of a rising young player, fought back fiercely. The score reached 18-19 in favor of the Canadian. It was a moment of life or death: one small mistake could end Srikanth's dreams. But then, as if scripted by a romantic novelist, Srikanth won three consecutive points to close the match 21-19. Those final three points were not just tactics; they were the crystallization of 20 years of experience, failures, and lessons that only time can teach. This victory is even more significant given it was their first-ever meeting. With no head-to-head history to reference, Srikanth had to rely on his ability to decode an entirely unfamiliar opponent. This demonstrates that his tactical adaptability remains intact, even as age has slowed his footwork. Moreover, this win carries great strategic weight: it earns Srikanth valuable ranking points to improve his standing, which had been stuck outside the top 20 for years. Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the former world No. 1 men's doubles pair, were fighting to assert their dominance. They faced the Popov brothers (Toma Junior and Christo) of France – rising stars known for their aggressive play. Satwik-Chirag started well, taking the first game 21-17. But the second game was a different story. The French pair, playing with great inspiration, constantly pressured the Indian defense, edging out a tense 22-24 victory. The match, lasting 69 minutes, was a grueling test of endurance for both sides. However, what sets a former world No. 1 pair apart is their ability to rebound from a psychological setback. Entering the deciding game, Satwik-Chirag looked transformed. They raced to a 6-1 lead and closed out the game 21-9, a dominant performance. The difference between the two games was not just tactical, but also a shift in mindset. They shook off the disappointment of a narrow loss and reasserted their rhythm, overwhelming their French opponents with relentless pressure. This victory highlighted the resilience of an experienced pair aiming for greater goals. Their next opponents in the quarterfinals are Denmark's Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen, one of the most stubborn and consistent pairs in the world. Astrup-Rasmussen are renowned for their solid defense, few errors, and incredible court coverage. This will be a completely different challenge compared to the Popov brothers, requiring Satwik-Chirag to prepare both tactically and mentally. Elsewhere, young Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma fought valiantly but could not upset the odds against Tomoka Miyazaki, Japan's world No. 9, in the women's singles. Tanvi started slowly and lost the first game 17-21. Instead of folding, she bounced back in the second game, winning 21-18 with intelligent defensive counterattacks. However, in the deciding game, inexperience at the highest level took its toll as she lost momentum and went down 16-21 after a tense 66-minute battle. Despite the defeat, her performance underscores her immense potential and her ability to compete with a top-10 player at such a young age. Looking back at the journeys of Indian shuttlers at the 2026 China Masters, I am reminded of my own story – those long nights of self-doubt after my mistakes on live television, those moments of questioning whether I was too quick to judge. Perhaps Srikanth has experienced similar nights. A player who once reached the pinnacle of the sport, then faded away under criticism and neglect, before having to confront the question: should I go on? His answer lies on the court tonight. We often get caught up in the stories of young talents, the champions of the future, and forget that aging warriors also have their own battles. Srikanth may no longer be at his peak, but he is still here, still fighting with undiminished passion. His victory over Victor Lai is not just a result; it is a statement: age is just a number, and the limits of the human spirit are where we set them. However, I also remember the lesson I learned from the Incheon shock of 2026: football – and badminton too – is not accounting. A win in the third round does not guarantee success in the quarterfinals. Srikanth will face Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong next, a tricky opponent with a varied style. Can he maintain such form? Can a 33-year-old body withstand the grind of a Super 750 tournament? These remain open questions. What I truly want to emphasize here is the difference between a champion and an ordinary athlete. The ordinary crumble in adversity; the champion finds a way to rise again. Srikanth may not win the title, but he has shown us that the fire within him is still burning. When the numbers fall silent, my heart begins to listen – and I believe Srikanth's heart is beating strong. At the post-match press conference, people may ask Srikanth for the secret of his success. But I doubt he will offer anything extraordinary. People like him often say they just try their best and savor every moment on court. These humble answers hide countless nights of training, tears, and times of falling and rising again. Satwik-Chirag, in some ways, also face unspoken expectations. After achieving the world No. 1 ranking, their every loss is scrutinized. Reaching the quarterfinals at a Super 750 is no surprise for them, but it shows they can keep the consistency needed to compete at the highest level. Their upcoming match against Astrup-Rasmussen will be a real test of their ambitions. And Tanvi Sharma, the young Indian girl, despite the loss, has shown a bright future. At the age of 20, being able to stretch a set against a top-10 player is a positive sign. She needs more time, more experience, and stronger mental fortitude to get through decisive moments. But I believe, with proper investment, she will go far. The 2026 China Masters is nearing its climax, and Indian badminton fans have reasons to hope. Srikanth has written a beautiful story, but the story is not finished. Can he proceed further? Can Satwik-Chirag overcome Astrup-Rasmussen? And can Tanvi learn from her loss to come back stronger? These questions await answers. The empty stadium is heartbreaking, but the sound of the opening whistle the next day does wonders. In the world of sports, nothing is impossible. Srikanth, at 33, is teaching us a lesson in perseverance. And perhaps, as the old scout from Busan once told me: "Don't close the door before the match is over."