Satwik and Chirag Triumph Again, Near Semifinals at BWF World Tour Finals 2025
Satwik-Chirag Secure Second Win, Edge Closer to Semis
India's leading men's doubles team, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, achieved their second consecutive victory at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025. They triumphed over Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in an exhilarating three-game match held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium on Thursday. The World No. 3 duo displayed remarkable skill and poise, winning with scores of 21-11, 16-21, and 21-11. This victory solidifies their unbeaten streak in Group B, positioning them favorably for a spot in the semifinals. With two wins under their belt, Satwik and Chirag lead the group and have established a significant points difference advantage, according to a statement from the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Match Progression
In the initial game, Satwik and Chirag were in complete control, never trailing and winning decisively at 21-11. The Indonesian pair, who had previously won the China Open Super 1000 earlier this year despite only teaming up in 2025, fought back in the second game. Although the Indians managed to recover from an early 8-3 deficit to tie at 12-12, they ultimately lost the game 16-21. In the final game, the Indian duo responded strongly, quickly establishing a lead of up to eight points before sealing the match at 21-11.
Final Group Fixture
Their next challenge will be against the second-seeded Malaysian pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, on Friday in their last group match.
Strong Start to the Campaign
Previously, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty kicked off their BWF World Tour Finals 2025 journey with a solid win against China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, overcoming them with scores of 12-21, 22-20, and 21-14 in Hangzhou, providing them with an early advantage in a competitive Group B.
A Year of Consistent Performances
Currently ranked third in men's doubles, Satwik and Chirag have also earned a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, marking their second medal at this event. They have achieved two runner-up finishes at the Hong Kong Open and the China Masters this year. The duo has shown remarkable consistency, 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, following their debut in 2021.