Indian Badminton Duo Secures China Masters Title, Gears Up for Asian Games
Confidence Boost for Indian Badminton Pair
The Indian men's doubles badminton team, consisting of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, expressed that their recent victory at the China Masters has significantly boosted their confidence as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Games. The duo achieved their first-ever title at the China Masters by overcoming China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu with scores of 11-21, 21-13, 21-17 at the Shenzhen Arena on Sunday.
Following their triumph, Satwik remarked that the China Masters has historically yielded positive outcomes for them, especially after facing injuries. He noted, "Competing here has always been beneficial for us. We have consistently returned to this tournament post-injury, and it has helped us regain our confidence."
Reflecting on their performance, Satwik emphasized their adherence to the game plan, which proved effective in the final match. He stated, "This week has been consistent, barring the first round. We minimized our mistakes today, which was a positive takeaway. We had a strategy in place, and executing it was crucial."
The victory marked a significant milestone for the pair, as it was their second title of 2026. Satwik expressed his happiness, saying, "Breaking the jinx feels great. This is our second title this year, and I am thrilled about it."
Chirag Shetty shared that winning the China Masters before the Asian Games is particularly meaningful and will enhance their confidence as defending champions. He remarked, "Winning a title before the Asian Games is special and reinforces that our efforts are on the right track."
Despite their success, Chirag emphasized the importance of remaining focused and continuing their training. He added, "We will return home, push ourselves hard for the next ten days, and approach the Asian Games with full enthusiasm."
The Indian pair, who had previously finished as runners-up at the Super 750 tournament, faced a challenging start against their Chinese opponents. The opening game saw them struggle, losing 21-11, but they rebounded strongly in the second game, winning 21-13.
The final game was fiercely contested, with both teams exchanging points. The Indian duo maintained their composure, ultimately securing the match with a 21-17 victory, marking a remarkable comeback.
This win provided a sense of redemption for Satwik and Chirag following their disappointing performance at the World Championships in New Delhi just weeks prior. They capitalized on the opportunity presented by injuries to other competitors, leading to their determined run to the title.
While the celebrations were subdued due to ongoing injuries, the relief and joy were palpable as Chirag celebrated with a roar and Satwik flashed his signature smile after clinching the decisive point.
This victory also ended a frustrating streak at the China Masters for the Indian pair, who had previously reached the semifinals in 2019 and 2024 and finished as runners-up in 2023 and 2025. This time, they successfully added the China Masters title to their accolades.
The title is their second of the 2026 season, following their win at the Singapore Open Super 750 and a runner-up finish at the Thailand Open Super 500.