Not mere hopefuls, in-form Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty start as strong favourites at Worlds | Badminton News

India’s long streak of continuous medals at the Badminton World Championships began in 2011, with Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa’s surprising, stunning bronze. It has rolled onto yet another bronze from doubles – an expectant one from Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in 2022 – bookending the streak. The bronze, as it turned out, was just the beginning of a glorious run.Following a spectacular first half of 2023, during which they won a Super 1000 event, were crowned Asian Champions, and continue to be in raging recent form, winning the Korea Open, the Indian duo head into the Copenhagen World Championship, starting Monday, as strong favourites for not just a medal, but raising real hopes of a gold.It is a testament to their consency and big-match temperament that a country that was forever smitten its singles stars is now pinning its biggest hopes on the doubles pairing, viewing them as gold contenders. The dominance in Korea last month, where the current World No 2 Satwik-Chirag beat World Nos 5, 3 and 1 on three straight days to take the title, is an indicator of their capability, and catapulted them into the Top 4.

At this level, any pairing can beat anybody depending on the day, and the Copenhagen gold will require them to reprise their form from Korea. “But the recent big wins add to the Indian confidence that when they meet their opponents the next time, Satwik-Chirag won’t make it easy for them,” says doubles coach Arun Vishnu.
The Indians potentially have 10th-seeded Indonesians Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin in Round 3, a pairing the Indians have beaten before. There’s a potential meeting with Malaysian quick hands Ong Yew Sin /Teo Ee Yi or Danish mavericks Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in quarters.
A notable aspect of the Satwik-Chirag story is how they are undeterred vocal local crowd support – be it in Indonesia against the top-ranked Alfian-Adrianto earlier in the year, or at the last World Championships against Takuro Hoki – Yugo Kobayashi, who were then defending champions playing at home in Japan. The crowds rooting for their opponents seem to always bring the best out of the Indians. “The opponents are tall and their shuttles were going from side to side. We could not keep up,” Hoki said after the loss, echoing sentiments of a bunch of other pairings who have struggled against the Indians ever since they struck consency.
There’s possibly a tricky semifinal against Chinese Liang Weikeng/Wang Chang, whom they beat for the first time earlier last month to ensure the big medal. “It’s a good draw till semis. We are expecting a medal from them and won’t be surprised if it’s a gold,” Arun says. “Plus Mathias Boe will be there,” he adds of the crucial coaching asset who has transformed this pair.
Following a spectacular first half of 2023, during which they won a Super 1000 event, were crowned Asian Champions, and continue to be in raging recent form, winning the Korea Open, the Indian duo head into the Copenhagen World Championship, starting Monday, as strong favourites for not just a medal, but raising real hopes of a gold.
Great skills & power
Indian doubles pairings over the years were known to be smart at the net, and good at just the technical skills before the power-packed Satwik-Chirag arrived on the scene. It was the time when government spending on doubles was negligible, and combinations would travel to at most six-eight tournaments compared to the 18-20 that they travel to, now.
What has set the pair apart is just how hard they are hitting the shuttle. “Both are power hitters and well built. When they get into a rally at that pace and hit that hard, it is difficult for opponents to find a gap. In Korea, we were stunned watching from behind, that whenever a shuttle came and they were attacking, it was always a point. Whoever the opponent was, they were struggling against the Indians,” the coach recalls.
While the duo have admitted they need more work on defense, their attack is undiminished. “Not just their smashes, the power in their drives is something to marvel. At this level in Top 4, everyone hits hard, but it is fascinating to watch two Indians right up there, where opponents were struggling to cope with their smashes and drives,” Arun said.
The lead up to the 2023 World’s has been impressive since April when the Indians won the Asian title. “Japan and Korea, they played really well. Physically they have improved a lot, strength-wise,” the coach says.
Chirag’s steep smashing from the back court is an underrated but important aspect. “His smash is really heavy, opponents expect a big one from Satwik, but Chirag hits equally hard,” he explains, even as it is evident that his hitting can gain even more in strength in coming months. But it’s his second stroke when receiving the service that really catches opponents off-guard. “It’s the pace, placement and power with which he pounces on the serve and reacts. He catches it very well, and returns in a way that opponents don’t expect.”
Part of that skill is natural, but Chirag’s also worked hard on catching the second stroke and converting it to set-ups or outright winners. Satwik too has developed as a player who can control the in-between-rally stages really well.
Indian doubles pairings over the years were known to be smart at the net, and good at just the technical skills before the power-packed Satwik-Chirag arrived on the scene.
Amongst the Top 4, it all boils down to who keeps the attack, since you don’t get easy lifts, and how you keep the shuttle down from mid-court. Satwik can power through mid-rallies and accelerate the aggression, even while everyone around at this level is capable of hitting hard on the kill shot, in what is his next-level powerplay.
Liang-Wang looming
The relentless power game will come in handy if they have to repeat their Korea Open form from July against potential semifinal opponents, the tricky Chinese Liang and Wang, currently World No 3. The Chinese might’ve been blitzed at Korea, but had beaten the Indians twice previously at the start of the year in Malaysia and at the All England. The India Open winners – a young pair of 22-year-olds from China – have two three-sets wins, including a 21-19 endgame pipping at the All England, over the Indians.Most Read
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Decorated with junior world medals, their countenance seems deceptive too. “Yes, the Liang fellow keeps smiling all the time on court, and appears relaxed, though he can suddenly hit very hard. We should not fall prey to their tactics on court. Indians have the experience of having beaten them and the consency will help. Amongst the top pairs, you play them 20 times, it’s not that they will win all 20 times. But Satwik-Chirag learn quickly from their makes and fight for each point. They can beat the Chinese top pair and make the finals,” Arun assures.
Three other pairings, contending for gold, are in the other half of the draw: top-ranked Indonesians Alfian-Adrianto, defending champions Aaron-Soh and Olympic champions Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang, who have been on a proper resurgence, winning the Japan Open in quite the fighting fashion – their first win after the Tokyo Games.

The Indians have beaten the Indonesians consently, defeated Malaysian Aaron-Soh in the finals of Indonesia Open this year, and the Taiwanese Olympic champions back in 2021 at Tokyo. The Wang-Lee resurgence, however, consumed Satwik-Chirag in their swirl at the Japan Open last month. Should they come up against any of the three when making the finals, it promises to be a tougher fight for the gold than previous encounters.