New Delhi, April 11 -- In the 64-year-old history of the Badminton Asia Championships, only thrice have Indian players or pairs made it to the final day of competition.

Dinesh Khanna won the men's singles crown in 1965 in the second edition of a tournament that has grown into the continental showpiece. India had to wait another 58 years before Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty clinched the men's doubles in 2023 in Dubai.

Now, Ayush Shetty stands on the cusp of history after stunning world No.1 and defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand to enter the men's singles final in Ningbo, China, on Saturday.

It took the 20-year-old an hour and 15 minutes to overcome the top seed 10-21, 21-19, 21-17 in what was the second conte...