Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Triumph in BWF World Tour Finals 2025 Opener

In an exciting start to the BWF World Tour Finals 2025, India's top men's doubles team, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, showcased their skills with a remarkable comeback victory against China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. After losing the first game, they rallied to win the match 12-21, 22-20, 21-14. The duo aims to secure a semifinal spot as they prepare to face Alfian and Fikri next. With a strong season behind them, including a bronze medal at the World Championships, their performance continues to impress badminton fans worldwide.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 21:58 IST

Strong Start for India's Men's Doubles Team

India's leading men's doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, kicked off their BWF World Tour Finals 2025 journey with an impressive comeback victory against China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Badminton Association of India (BAI). The World No. 3 pair demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning the match with scores of 12-21, 22-20, 21-14 in a thrilling contest that lasted just over an hour. This win provides an early advantage for Satwik and Chirag in the highly competitive Group B, which also includes Malaysia's Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik and Indonesia's Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.

Match Breakdown

The Indian pair started strong but lost their rhythm in the first game, allowing the Chinese team to take control and win 21-12. In the second game, Satwik and Chirag regrouped, maintaining composure under pressure to clinch it 22-20 after initially trailing. They carried this momentum into the final game, asserting their dominance and finishing the match with a score of 21-14.

Upcoming Challenges and Season Highlights

Next, Satwik and Chirag will compete against Alfian and Fikri on Thursday, aiming to secure a spot in the semifinals of this prestigious event. Currently ranked third in men's doubles, they have also earned a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, marking their second medal at this event, along with two runner-up finishes at the Hong Kong Open and the China Masters this year. The duo has shown consistent performance throughout the season, reaching the semifinals in various tournaments including the Malaysia Open, India Open, Singapore Open, China Open, and Denmark Open in 2025. This marks their second appearance at the BWF World Tour Finals, having previously participated in 2021.

Recent Performance

Previously, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty faced an unexpected exit from the Australian Open 2025, losing to Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Fajar Alfian.