**Published:** April 2026 | **Category:** Buying Guides | **Read time:** 7 min
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India's relationship with sport has never been more intense. Badminton courts are packed on weekday mornings. Cricket nets are booked weeks in advance. Home gym setups are appearing in apartments that barely have room for a sofa. The Indian sports equipment market crossed ₹19,700 crore in 2024 and is growing at 5.6% a year — and right now, in April 2026, you can feel exactly where that energy is coming from.
At Proshack, we watch these trends closely — not just as a store, but as people who play. Here's our honest breakdown of what's trending in Indian sport right now, and which products we stock that are worth your attention.
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## 1. The Yonex Astrox Obsession Is Real — and Still Justified in 2026
If you follow Indian badminton at any level — club, state, or national — you've seen the Yonex Astrox series everywhere. The line has become the default choice for serious players in India, and for good reason. The head-heavy design delivers the kind of aggressive smash that the modern game demands, and Yonex's Made in Japan build quality holds up to the high string tensions that Indian conditions and club stringing services tend to produce.
**What's trending in 2026:** The Astrox 99 Pro (2nd Gen) remains one of the most searched badminton rackets in India this year — confirmed by buying guides from SportsUncle, The Bridge, and Padelspeed who all continue to rank it as the top attacking pick for serious club players. Its combination of Made in Japan construction, Namd graphite shaft, and World Champion Kento Momota's association has made it the aspirational benchmark at Indian club level. The Astrox 100ZZ VA sits a tier above — extra stiff shaft, more demanding sweet spot, true professional-grade feel — and is increasingly popular among advanced players who've genuinely outgrown the 99 Pro.
**What we stock:** We carry the full performance Astrox range including the **Astrox 99 Pro** (₹17,000), **Astrox 100ZZ VA** (₹20,000), **Astrox 88D Pro N**, **Astrox Nextage**, **Astrox Attack 9**, and **Astrox FB**. Every racket is genuine and sourced through authorised channels — not grey imports or parallel market stock.
> **Proshack tip:** If you're moving up from a recreational racket and want your first serious Yonex, the Astrox Nextage hits the best balance of accessibility and genuine performance improvement. The 99 Pro is worth the wait if you're already playing at competitive club level and have solid smash technique to make use of a stiff shaft.
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## 2. Victor Is No Longer a Secret — The DriveX 12 Changes Things
Victor has been the best-kept secret in Indian badminton for years — well-regarded by coaches and advanced players, but overshadowed by Yonex's marketing dominance. In 2026 that's shifted meaningfully. Victor launched the **DriveX 12** this year as their all-around flagship — combining control, attacking power, and agile maneuverability in a single frame — and it has earned serious praise from international reviewers as one of the smartest buys of 2026 outside the Yonex lineup.
**What's trending in 2026:** The Victor Thruster Ryuga TD and Ryuga II Pro continue to be the most popular Victor rackets in India among attacking players, but the DriveX 12 is beginning to appear on club courts and is worth watching. Victor's growing BWF sponsorship presence — including players like Tai Tzu-ying and Lee Zii Jia — is building brand credibility with Indian players who follow international badminton closely.
**What we stock:** **Victor Thruster Ryuga TD** (₹7,500 sale price) and **Victor Thruster Ryuga II Pro** (₹12,800 sale price). Both are authentic Victor products — not the grey-market Victor rackets that have proliferated across Indian online marketplaces.
> **Proshack tip:** If you've played Yonex your whole career, the Ryuga TD feels noticeably different — slightly more feedback through the shaft, more frame control on flat drives. For doubles players who rely on quick net exchanges, many find they actually prefer it to the Astrox series.
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## 3. Li-Ning Has Arrived — And the Axforce Cannon Is Everywhere
Li-Ning's growth in India has been one of the biggest stories in Indian badminton retail over the past two years. A brand largely ignored by serious Indian players five years ago now competes directly with Yonex and Victor at every price point. The Axforce series has built a strong reputation for delivering power-frame performance at genuinely competitive prices.
**What's trending in 2026:** The Li-Ning Axforce Cannon Light has appeared on SportsUncle's updated March 2026 top-10 list for rackets under ₹5,000 — praised for its even balance and fast swing speed. The original Axforce Cannon remains one of the best-value performance rackets in India, and the Cannon Pro has developed a loyal following among competitive club players who want professional-grade construction without a ₹20,000 price tag.
**What we stock:** **Li-Ning Axforce Cannon** (₹4,800), **Axforce Cannon Pro** (₹12,990), **Axforce Blast**, and **Li-Ning 3D Calibar 600C**. We also carry the **Li-Ning Ignite 7 and 8** for players looking for a solid entry into the brand.
> **Proshack tip:** The Axforce Cannon at ₹4,800 is genuinely one of the best-value performance rackets available in India right now. If you're an intermediate player tired of entry-level gear but not ready to spend ₹15,000+ on a Japanese-made Yonex, this is the racket to try first.
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## 4. Cricket Gear Is Flying Off Shelves — IPL 2026 Is Happening Right Now
India's cricket equipment market always spikes in April. The reason is simple: IPL. With TATA IPL 2026 currently underway — Match 34 between RCB and GT happening this week — millions of Indians who watch elite cricket every evening pick up a bat or a ball and head to the nearest net. This is the single biggest demand driver for cricket equipment in the Indian calendar, and it happens every year from March to May.
**What's trending in 2026:** The shift toward lighter, more technical protective gear continues. The T20 era has reshaped what Indian club cricketers want — lighter bats with larger edges, helmets that meet modern safety standards without being cumbersome, and flexible protection that doesn't slow you down running between wickets. SG remains the dominant brand at club level, particularly for protective gear. Kashmir Willow bats continue to see strong demand from school and club players who want genuine performance without English Willow prices.
**What we stock:** Our cricket range covers SG comprehensively — **SG Batting Gloves League Men** (₹1,185), **SG Cricket Helmet Blazetech** (₹1,123), **SG Legguard Ecolite Mens RH** (₹1,648), and **SG Cricket Pant Icon HS** (₹927). For bats, we carry SS Kashmir Willow options including the **SS CBat KW Master**, **KW Impact**, **KW R-7**, and **KW Super Power** — all genuine, hand-graded bats with carry bags.
> **Proshack tip:** If you're watching IPL 2026 and it's got you back on the pitch — start with the SG Blazetech helmet before anything else. At ₹1,123 it's one of the most important safety upgrades any club cricketer can make, and it's often the most overlooked.
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## 5. Home Fitness Is Permanent — And the Indian Market Reflects It
The post-pandemic home gym trend was supposed to be temporary. It wasn't. Across Indian cities, training at home — either instead of or alongside gym membership — has solidified into a lifestyle choice. The Indian sports and fitness goods market is projected to grow from USD 2.36 billion in 2024 to USD 3.85 billion by 2033, and home fitness equipment is one of the primary growth drivers.
**What's trending in 2026:** Resistance bands remain the fastest-growing fitness accessory segment in India, driven by versatility, low price point, and the explosion of home workout content on YouTube and Instagram. Yoga mats have moved from niche wellness product to standard household purchase. Anti-burst gym balls for core and stability training are increasingly popular as Indian fitness culture continues its shift toward functional movement over pure weight training.
**What we stock:** Our fitness range covers the essentials — resistance bands and exercise tubes in multiple resistance levels, yoga mats, gym balls, and hand grips. Everything is sourced from reputable manufacturers. We don't stock cheap no-brand alternatives that wear out in weeks.
> **Proshack tip:** Resistance bands are one of the few fitness products where quality genuinely matters. A cheap band that snaps mid-exercise is both useless and dangerous. Invest in a proper set from the start — it lasts years and the full resistance range gives you room to progress as you get stronger.
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## 6. The Authenticity Gap Is Getting Wider — and Riskier
One trend that cuts across all categories is the growing awareness among Indian sports consumers of the counterfeit problem. As premium gear has become more aspirational — Yonex rackets hitting ₹20,000+, SG helmets being a recognised safety standard — the market for convincing fakes has grown alongside it. In 2026 this is more acute than ever, particularly on large Indian marketplaces where third-party sellers operate with minimal verification.
The risk is real. A counterfeit Yonex Astrox 99 Pro looks almost identical to the genuine article. The string job at your local shop might even make it feel similar for the first few sessions. But the frame will behave differently under stress, the weight distribution will be off, and it will not last — and there is no manufacturer warranty to fall back on.
This is the core of what Proshack is built on. Every product we sell is sourced through authorised channels. We've turned away cheaper stock rather than compromise on this. It's not marketing copy — it's the reason we exist as a specialist store rather than a generalist marketplace.
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## What We're Watching for the Rest of 2026
**The sub-₹5,000 racket revolution.** Brands like Hundred, Apacs, and Maxbolt are putting genuine graphite technology into the ₹2,000–₹5,000 price range in ways that weren't possible two years ago. Indian club players are increasingly willing to consider alternatives to Yonex in this segment. We're watching this closely.
**Badminton shoes** have moved from aspirational to expected at serious club level. Yonex Power Cushion models are now standard kit for regular players, and demand for non-marking, court-specific badminton footwear is growing fast.
**Feather shuttlecocks** are seeing rising demand from Indian club players who've previously settled for nylon — a genuine indicator that playing standards and seriousness of participation are improving across India's badminton community.
**Pickleball** remains a wildcard in India. It's growing in urban corporate and residential settings but hasn't yet broken into the mainstream sports retail conversation. We're watching.
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## Shop the Trending Gear at Proshack
All products mentioned in this article are available at [proshack.in](https://www.proshack.in). Every item is 100% genuine, shipped pan-India, with free delivery on orders over ₹999. Payment via UPI, EMI, or Cash on Delivery.
- [Shop Badminton Rackets →](https://www.proshack.in/collections/badminton-rackets)
- [Shop Cricket Equipment →](https://www.proshack.in/collections/cricket)
- [Shop Fitness Accessories →](https://www.proshack.in/collections/fitness)
Questions about which product is right for you? WhatsApp us or call +91 98421 60606. We're a specialist store — we play these sports, and we're happy to give you an honest recommendation.
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*Proshack is India's specialist sports store, stocking genuine badminton, cricket, tennis, and fitness gear from Yonex, Victor, Li-Ning, SG, SS, and more. Retail stores in Coimbatore. Online at proshack.in.*
