21 Aug 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India’s star men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty fought through a tense three-game battle against Malaysia’s Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 BWF World Championships in New Delhi.
The fifth-seeded Indian duo recovered from losing the opening game to win 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 in an 82-minute contest, moving to within one victory of securing another World Championships medal.
Indian Duo Fight Back After Losing First Game
Satwik and Chirag looked in danger of exiting the tournament after surrendering the first game.
The Indians had led 16-12 in the opening game but were unable to close it out as the Malaysian pair fought back to take it 23-21.
The second game again went down to the wire before Satwik and Chirag held their nerve to win 21-19 and force a decider.
Satwik Battles Through Shoulder Pain
The victory was particularly impressive because Satwik was dealing with a shoulder problem during the match.
His right shoulder was taped, and the injury affected his comfort and movement during the contest. Despite the physical discomfort, he continued to attack and unleash his powerful smashes.
The Indian pair has also been managing a long break from competitive badminton, making their return at the home World Championships particularly challenging.
Chirag Helps Keep India’s Medal Hopes Alive
While Satwik struggled physically at times, Chirag continued to contribute with his attacking play and composure during crucial moments.
The duo showed the resilience that has helped them win major titles and compete at the highest level of men’s doubles badminton.
Their ability to recover after losing the first game proved decisive in a match where the Malaysians repeatedly threatened to take control.
Quarter-Final Against Chinese Pair Next
Satwik and Chirag will now face China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, the third seeds, in the quarter-finals.
The match represents a major challenge for the Indian pair, but victory would guarantee them a place on the World Championships podium.
One Win Away From Another World Medal
Satwik and Chirag are already two-time World Championships bronze medallists.
Reaching the quarter-finals means they are now just one victory away from adding another medal to their collection.
The home crowd in New Delhi will be hoping the pair can overcome the Chinese challenge and continue India’s medal campaign.
India’s Doubles Hopes Stay Alive
The men’s doubles duo’s progress has provided a major boost to India’s campaign after disappointing results in the singles events.
Earlier, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also reached the women’s doubles quarter-finals, keeping India’s hopes of multiple medals alive at the World Championships.
The Bigger Challenge Ahead
The next match will test both the Indians’ physical condition and their ability to handle one of the world’s strongest men’s doubles combinations.
For Satwik, managing the shoulder issue will be particularly important as the tournament enters its decisive stages.