In a dazzling display of skill and determination, Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have secured a spot on the podium at the World Championships, defeating the formidable Malaysian duo of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. This victory came in the men’s doubles quarterfinals held in Paris, bringing the world No. 3 pair one step closer to glory.
Just a year after a heart-wrenching loss to the same opponents, which cost them an Olympic medal, Satwik and Chirag showcased their prowess with a decisive 21-12, 21-19 win in just 43 minutes. This triumph not only avenged their previous defeat but also marked their progression to the semifinals, pushing India’s streak of consecutive medal wins at this prestigious event since 2011 further—an impressive legacy that began with Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa’s historic bronze.
Next up, they will face the 11th-seeded pairing of Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi from China, presenting yet another challenge as they aim to elevate their status on the world stage.
Earlier in the day, the Indian contingent experienced a setback with PV Sindhu’s exit in the women’s singles quarterfinals, dampening hopes for a medal in that category. As Satwik and Chirag prepared to take the court, the pressure loomed large—particularly against opponents who had consistently thwarted Indian ambitions on the international stage.
Chia and Soh had previously defeated the Indian pair in both Singapore and China this year, adding to the weight of their Olympic heartbreak in Paris just last year. Yet, on this occasion, the world No. 9 Indians flipped the script with a commanding performance.
Chirag kicked off the match with a stunning drive-serve winner, setting the excitement meter high as the pair embarked on a grueling 59-shot rally—the longest of the encounter. Following this intense exchange, Chirag unleashed a thundering mid-court smash, putting India ahead 4-2. Harnessing a powerful serve and fluid teamwork, they surged ahead, taking an early 9-3 lead.
Entering the mid-game break with an 11-5 advantage, courtesy of Satwik’s skillful cross-lift, the Indians seemed in firm control. Though Chia and Soh managed to clinch another marathon rally, the Indian pair quickly regained momentum. From a promising 15-8, they tightened their grip on the match. With Chirag’s sharp net maneuvers and Satwik’s crafty serves, they maintained an edge.
With a display of strategic returns, Chirag garnered nine game points, sealing the first game with another assertive shot at the net. As they switched sides, the Indian tandem continued their onslaught, jumping to a 10-5 lead with their trademark aggressive style—Satwik’s accurate serves combined with Chirag’s powerful backcourt smashes proving a formidable combination.
Despite establishing a four-point cushion, pressure began to mount as Soh struggled with errors. Yet, the tenacious Malaysians, bronze medallists from Tokyo, surged back into contention—a breathtaking 41-shot rally brought them within reach at 12-17, showcasing their resilience. Nonetheless, Chirag’s flair at the front court helped India stretch their lead to 18-14.
A tense exchange ensued during another lengthy rally, emphasizing both pairs’ defense—a slip by Chirag barely managed to be righted as the match unfolded. Aaron commenced controlling the pace effectively, allowing Soh to find his rhythm. However, a rare miscue from Satwik allowed the Malaysians to close the gap further, equalizing the score at 19-19, having claimed 8 of the last 10 points in a thrilling comeback.
In a critical moment, Chirag asserted his dominance at the net, seizing match point after a nail-biting exchange. With a swift drive serve from Satwik and decisive strikes from Chirag, the final blow came as an ill-placed smash from Aaron sailed wide, sending the Indian team into a celebration of triumph.
This season has been one of both triumphs and trials for the world No. 3 duo. They reached the semifinals at both the Malaysia and India Open and faced hurdles arising from Satwik’s health issues and Chirag’s back injury which set back their training. Additionally, the devastating loss of Satwik’s father in February added a personal weight to their journey. Yet, they bounced back strongly, progressing to the last eight at the Singapore Open and China Open, and now standing on the threshold of a potential medal at the World Championships.
Priyam Gera