Inayat Gulati
At just 14, Inayat Gulati from Jalandhar, Punjab, is already one of India’s most exciting young badminton talents. Trained at the Ratti Badminton Academy under former national player Sachin Ratti, she has swept district championships, claimed national medals in Goa and Bhubaneswar, and holds a remarkable ranking of 1st in India in U-15 mixed doubles and 3rd in singles. Her stunning upset of reigning U-19 champion Samridhi Bhardwaj in September 2025 announced her arrival on the big stage. Punjab’s newest badminton sensation is only just getting started.
Q: The fixed goal at the district championship, when it finally hit, was it just excitement and happiness, or did you mentally see it coming all along?
A: It was a bit of excitement at first, because I made a record in my own district, and I’m happy because I’ve done the hard work, and it had finally paid off. Deep down, I always believed I could do it because of the hours I put into training. Seeing that belief translate into a record-breaking reality was incredibly validating. It wasn’t just a sudden burst of luck; it felt like the natural result of all the sacrifices finally aligning perfectly.
Q: Six golds and a complete sweep. Was there any single match that really pushed you to your limit? Especially beating the reigning, under–19 champion.
A: Yes, in my U–19 match, I already pushed my limits, and I didn’t think about winning or losing; I just thought that I had to play my best against my senior. Going into it, the reputation of the reigning champion was definitely there, but I blocked out the noise. Every rally felt like a physical grind, demanding absolute focus. Overcoming that pressure and coming out on top proved to me that I can stand ground against anyone, regardless of their age or experience.
Q: You won two bronze medals at the national level in Bhubaneswar — how did it feel stepping onto that stage for the first time at that level?
A: I was really happy because it was my 1st singles medal. And yeah, I could’ve performed better in my semis too. But yeah, I’m happy that I have reached that stage. Standing on that podium was a massive milestone for my confidence. While the loss in the semifinals left me craving more and analyzing what I could have done differently, it ultimately fueled my hunger. It showed me that I belong at the national level, but it also reminded me how much higher I can go.
Q: And then Goa—a silver medal at the All-India Sub-Junior Ranking Tournament. How different was that experience compared to Bhubaneswar?
A: In Goa, it was my first finals. I had already played mixed doubles, and, uh, it was a very proud moment for me, like, uh, all Punjab members, parents, and also my coaches. The atmosphere in Goa felt much higher stakes because playing in a final brings a completely different kind of pressure. Seeing the pride in the eyes of my coaches, parents, and the Punjab contingent made every exhausting drop of sweat worth it. It felt like a collective victory for everyone who supports me.
Q: Walk us through a typical day at the Ratti Academy — what does your routine actually look like from morning to evening?
A: Yeah, in the morning, I wake up around 4 AM or 4:15, and then I go to session from 5 to 7. And after that, I have my session in the afternoon and evening. And in the evening before bed, I try to read books, which motivates me. The schedule is incredibly demanding, leaving very little room for traditional teenage downtime. By the time the evening rolls around, my body is physically exhausted, so shifting my focus to reading helps relax my mind. It’s my way of resetting mentally so I can wake up and do it all over again.
Q: Who’s the biggest influence? a coach, a parent, a player you look up to, someone who generally shapes you, or how you show up on the court.
A: P.V. Sindhu is my biggest motivation, and she’s a very inspiring player, and also I am inspired by my coach, Sachin Ratti, sir, who is a former international player. Watching Sindhu’s fighting spirit on the world stage teaches me never to give up during intense rallies. Having Sachin sir by my side is equally invaluable; his firsthand experience as an international athlete gives me a tactical blueprint and the mental toughness required to navigate the realities of competitive badminton.
Q: How do you handle pressure when you have a tough match? Do you have any mental routines, or how do you keep yourself in focus?
A: Yeah, I feel a bit of pressure in intense matches, mostly in all-India matches, but I try to be calm during my play because in pressure, we can’t do things that we usually could. So I usually do yoga, which keeps my mind calm. When the stadium gets loud and the points are tight, it’s easy to lose control of your strokes. Yoga teaches me how to regulate my breathing and anchor my focus to the present moment. It helps me treat an intense match point just like any ordinary rally at practice.
Q: Also, what is one part of your game that you feel is the biggest weapon right now, and what do you feel actively working for?
A: There are so many common mistakes that I make in my matches, so I try to fix them, and since my game style is attacking, I focus more on it. My smash and aggressive net play are what help me dictate the tempo against my opponents, so I sharpen those weapons daily. At the same time, we are working heavily on minimizing unforced errors and improving my defensive transitions, ensuring my attacking style doesn’t leave gaps for opponents to exploit.
Q: Balancing school and elite-level training at your age is genuinely no joke—how do you manage both without burning out?
A: I do 7 to 8 hours of practice continuously and study 1 or 2 hours to really balance them. It requires strict time management and sacrificing a lot of social activities that other kids my age enjoy. My family and school are incredibly supportive, which helps ease the burden. I look at studying as a break from badminton and badminton as a break from studying, which keeps my mind fresh.
Q: At just 14, you’re already thinking about the Olympics—where does that dream sit in your head right now? A distant goal, or something you’re building toward every single day?
A: Yes, my goal is to become world number one, and this year I will be focusing on my ABC trials and the Asian Badminton Championship. The Olympics is the ultimate destination, but I know I have to climb the ladder one step at a time. Every single drill, morning run, and tournament this year is a building block toward that dream. I am treating these upcoming Asian championships as the perfect testing ground for my global ambitions.