India’s premier men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, kept their impressive run alive at the BWF World Championships with a thrilling quarterfinal victory in Paris on Friday.
The World No. 9 pair delivered one of their best performances on the world stage, dismantling second seeds Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia 21-12, 21-19 in just 43 minutes.
The result not only propelled Satwik and Chirag into the semifinals but also assured India of a medal — their second at the world meet after a podium finish in 2022. The achievement carried added weight as it came against the very pair who had crushed their Olympic dreams in Paris last year. This time, the Indians flipped the script, turning memories of heartbreak into a moment of triumph.
A Medal Secured, A Rivalry Renewed
The quarterfinal clash had layers of history. Before Friday, Satwik and Chirag trailed their Malaysian rivals 3-11 in head-to-head encounters. Their most recent defeat had come earlier this month at the China Open, continuing a frustrating trend. But on this stage, with medals on the line, the Indians rose to the challenge with aggression, precision, and composure.
From the outset, they showed intent. The Indians raced to an 8-2 lead in the opening game, stitching together six consecutive points. Their style of play was a blend of controlled aggression and tactical sharpness. Satwik’s booming smashes from the backcourt and Chirag’s razor-sharp interceptions at the net forced the Malaysians onto the defensive.
By the time they closed out the first game 21-12, the tone had been set. In the second game, Aaron and Soh tried to claw back with their trademark resilience, but the Indian duo never lost focus. Holding firm in long rallies and trusting their defensive structure, Satwik and Chirag struck at decisive moments to close the contest 21-19, sealing victory in straight games.
Revenge Served, In Style
The triumph was particularly sweet given the backstory. Only last year, Satwik and Chirag were being hailed as medal favourites at the Paris Olympics after lifting the French Open title. Yet, in a cruel twist, it was Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik who sent them packing in a heartbreaking three-game battle.
That defeat left scars, but also fuelled determination. On Friday, the Indians showed how far they have come since then. By staying calm under pressure and executing their strategy flawlessly, they reversed the narrative in emphatic fashion.
India’s Lone Medal
With the win, Satwik and Chirag ensured India will not return empty-handed from this edition of the World Championships. Earlier in the day, PV Sindhu exited the tournament after a hard-fought quarterfinal loss to Indonesia’s Putri Wardani in women’s singles. The mixed doubles duo of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also fell short in their last-eight clash, narrowly missing out on a historic medal.
But Satwik and Chirag’s success ensures India’s medal streak at the World Championships, which stretches back to 2011, remains intact. More importantly, it underlines their growing stature as one of the most formidable men’s doubles pairs in world badminton.
With a semifinal berth secured, the Indian stars will look to push further, armed with belief, momentum, and the satisfaction of a revenge well served.
