DEFENDING CHAMPIONS, READY FOR ANOTHER ASIAN GAMES CHAPTER

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty return to the Asian Games with a title to defend and a season that has tested their resilience. The reigning Asian Games champions, who won GOLD at Hangzhou, will once again carry India’s hopes in men’s doubles badminton at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

The duo, who are supported by the Reliance Foundation have had a very eventful year so far.

Their 2026 campaign has already delivered some significant milestones. At the Singapore Open Super 750, Satwik and Chirag ended a two-year wait for a BWF World Tour title, becoming the first Indian men’s doubles pair to win the tournament. They followed that with a runners-up finish at the Thailand Open Super 500 and played a key role in India’s historic Thomas Cup BRONZE, helping the team secure its first podium finish since 2022.

But the season also brought a difficult period for the pair.

Satwik’s recurring shoulder injury forced them to miss the Badminton Asia Championships and withdraw from the China Open. At the Japan Open, they returned to competition, only for Satwik’s shoulder pain to resurface during their opening-round match, forcing them to retire.

The setback meant another period of recovery and rebuilding. They returned at the World Championships, reaching the quarter-finals, before turning their attention to the China Masters.

And there, the comeback truly gathered momentum.

At the China Masters Super 750, Satwik and Chirag produced one of their most impressive performances of the season. After four consecutive three-game victories on their way to the final, they overcame China’s He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu 11-21, 21-13, 21-17 to claim their first ever China Masters title.

 

 

 

 

 

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The victory was particularly significant given the tournament’s history with the pair. They had previously finished runners up twice, but this time they went all the way, becoming the first Indians to win the title. The triumph also secured their second title of the 2026 season and their 10th BWF World Tour title.

For Satwik, the triumph was about more than just another trophy. Speaking to the media after the final, he reflected on the significance of returning from injury and finding their rhythm again.

“I think this tournament, after coming back from injury, has given us a lot of confidence.” - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, speaking to the media after the China Masters final said.

That confidence now feeds directly into their biggest assignment of the season.

Chirag, meanwhile, underlined just how important the China Masters win could be heading into their title defence.

“Going into the Asian Games, winning a title definitely gives a huge boost that what we are working for is going in the right direction.” - Chirag Shetty said while speaking to the media after the China Masters final. 

The pair, however, know there is little time to dwell on the victory. Chirag said they would return home, push themselves in training and arrive at the Asian Games ready to give everything.

From the highs of Singapore to the disappointment of injury, and from a difficult comeback to finally conquering the China Masters, Satwik and Chirag have already experienced almost every twist a season can offer.

Now comes the biggest challenge: defending their Asian Games GOLD.

With momentum restored, confidence growing and the lessons of a demanding season behind them, the defending champions head to Aichi-Nagoya ready to write the next chapter of their partnership.