Indian Doubles Stars Shine at BWF World Championships
Doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have once again made India proud at the BWF World Championships, adding to the country’s medal tally that stretches back to 2011.
On August 29, in Paris, the World No. 9 pair showcased fearless and dynamic badminton, defeating Malaysia’s second-seeded team, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, in the quarterfinals. The match lasted just 43 minutes, with Satwik and Chirag winning convincingly, 21-12, 21-19.
A Sweet Revenge
This hard-fought victory not only secured them a medal but also served as revenge against the very team that had thwarted their Olympic dreams in Paris the previous year. Their semifinal berth came after an impressive display that turned heartbreak into triumph, adding an emotional edge to their performance.
Earlier in the day, PV Sindhu faced disappointment in the women’s singles quarterfinals, and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also fell short, leaving Satwik and Chirag as India’s sole hope for a medal this year.
Despite having lost to Aaron and Soh in their last encounter during the China Open quarterfinals, Satwik and Chirag proved their mettle on Friday. The pair clearly had the fire to succeed, using their attacking style to dominate the match.
Dominating the Court
From the outset, Satwik and Chirag took control, racing to an 8-2 lead in the first game. Their aggressive gameplay saw Satwik delivering powerful smashes while Chirag excelled at the front court, intercepting and forcing errors from their opponents.
As the match progressed, the pair demonstrated excellent defense, staying calm and composed during extended rallies. Their tactical flexibility helped keep the Malaysian duo on the back foot.
Nerves in the Second Game
The second game followed a similar pattern, with the Indians leading 11-7 at the mid-game interval. However, the specter of their previous Olympic loss loomed large, and soon tension crept in. Chia and Soh rallied back, leveling the match at 19-all after being down by four points.
Yet, Satwik and Chirag maintained their focus. Under the guidance of coach B. Sumeeth Reddy, who encouraged them to remain aggressive, they fought back, ultimately closing the match and sealing their long-awaited revenge.
Celebrations and Future Matches
The joy of their victory was evident as Chirag flexed for the cameras, a stark contrast to the despair of their past defeat. Having defeated two top-five pairs in as many days, Satwik and Chirag have firmly established themselves as a formidable force in doubles badminton.
They will next face China’s 11th seeds, Chen Boyang and Liu Yi, in the semifinals, with another chance to make history once more in Paris.
Published on August 30, 2025
