The Titan

Kidambi Srikanth has gone where no Indian male badminton player has ever gone before – the world No.1 ranking. Between fighting that numbers game and prepping for various matches (including this month’s Asian Games), his biggest luxury indulgence, he says, is getting some sleep!

- Rahul Devulapalli

A high achiever and a humble soul is the best way to describe the most promising male badminton star of India, Kidambi Srikanth. All of 25, the young lad from Hyderabad had an eventful year as he climbed to number one ranking for the first time in his life. A protege of former badminton player and chief national coach, Pullela Gopichand, Srikanth's brand has skyrocketed in the sporting world, but the man remains grounded.

The shuttler lives in a gated community in the suburbs of Hyderabad, which is closer to his second home, the SAI Gopichand Academy in Gachibowli. For the past nine years, Srikanth has been training religiously under Gopichand's watchful eyes.

So, how does the Padma Shri award winner celebrate every time he scoops up a title? “I do not get time to celebrate. We are constantly travelling or preparing for the next tournament. I also do not believe in cutting cakes or partying,” said Srikanth.

With hectic schedules and frequent flying, he has made airports his shopping stops. “Since I have a lot of time at the airports, I shop. There were times when I found some good clothes in the outlets inside the airport. I usually do not buy very fancy stuff and go for something simple.”

He talks about his most prized possession which he picked up recently. “My Bose noise-cancellation headphones are the best. I am not too much into gadgets. I only buy if I require them. The headphones work effectively in reducing outside noise and help me relax. I carry it whenever I travel,” said the sportsman who has a signature style of kissing his racquet before entering the court.