PARIS: India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, delivered a stunning performance on Friday night to guarantee the country a medal at the Badminton World Championships. The world No. 3 duo dismantled their long-time nemesis, Malaysia’s Olympic medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, with a commanding 21-12, 21-19 victory in just 43 minutes to storm into the semifinals.
The win came as sweet revenge for the Indians, who had lost to the same pair at last year’s Paris Olympics, missing out on a medal. This triumph marks their second World Championships medal after their 2022 bronze, extending India’s impressive streak of podium finishes at the event since 2011.
The Asian Games champions will now face 11th seeds Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi of China in the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, PV Sindhu’s quarterfinal exit had ended India’s hopes in women’s singles, putting additional pressure on Satwik and Chirag to keep the tricolour flying high. Facing opponents who had repeatedly denied them glory — including heartbreaks in Singapore, China, and the Olympics — the Indians turned the tables with aggressive play and unwavering composure.
From the start, the duo showcased their trademark chemistry. Chirag’s opening drive-serve winner, followed by a breathtaking 59-shot rally capped with his thunderous smash, set the tone. Satwik’s booming serves and their seamless rotations helped India dominate the first game with ease.
The second game, however, tested their nerves. Despite leading comfortably at 17-12, the Malaysians clawed back, levelling the score at 19-19. But Chirag held firm at the net in crunch moments, before Satwik’s sharp drive-serve set up the decisive smash that sealed India’s victory.
This medal is especially emotional for Satwik, who endured personal loss with the passing of his father earlier this year, and for the duo who battled injuries that kept them off court for weeks. Yet, their resilience and consistency have seen them reach multiple semifinals this season, including the India and Malaysia Open.
With this win, Satwik and Chirag not only avenged past defeats but also reaffirmed their status as one of the world’s most formidable men’s doubles pairs.
