India’s star shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, saw their impressive run at the BWF World Tour Finals come to an end on December 20. In a high-stakes semifinal that lasted over an hour, the Indian pair fell to China’s Liang Wei Kang and Wang Chang in a three-game thriller. Despite a strong start, the 21-10, 17-21, 13-21 defeat meant that Satwik and Chirag’s 19-month-long search for a tournament title continues.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty out of BWF World Tour Finals
The match began with the Indians looking dominant, as they strategically targeted Liang to disrupt the Chinese pair's rhythm. Maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, Satwik and Chirag took an early 9–6 lead, which grew to a four-point advantage by the mid-game interval following a thunderous smash from Chirag. They tightened their grip on the opening game with an incredible eight-point streak, eventually securing a commanding 10-point lead to take the first set 21-10.
However, the momentum shifted in the subsequent games. Although Satwik and Chirag had defeated the Chinese pair earlier in the group stage, Liang and Wang successfully adjusted their tactics when it mattered most. The Indians were unable to sustain their aggressive pace, and the Chinese duo turned the tables to claim the next two sets. This loss ended the Indians' bid to become the first men’s pair from the country to reach the final of this prestigious season-ending event.
Despite the semifinal exit, Satwik and Chirag’s performance remains a historic milestone for Indian badminton. By going unbeaten through the group stage and reaching the final four, they became the first Indian men’s doubles pair ever to qualify for the semifinals of the BWF World Tour Finals. While the title drought persists, their record-breaking run further cements their status among the world's elite doubles teams.
Sat-Chi lose despite clinching opening game
Satwik and Chirag clinched the opening game on their first opportunity after the Chinese pair committed another unforced error by hitting the net. Following the change of ends, the home favorites began to find their rhythm, utilizing a strong service game and precise third shots to capitalize on a string of errors from the Indian duo and build a 6–3 lead. Although Satwik and Chirag managed to level the score at 7–all, aided by a powerful smash from Chirag and a wide shot from their opponents, the Chinese pair quickly regained their composure. Despite a service error from Liang, China maintained a slim two-point cushion heading into the mid-game interval.
As the second game resumed, Chirag showed great intensity, tying the match at 11–all with a sharp cross-court smash after intercepting a weak net return. However, a moment of hesitation and a return error allowed the Chinese pair to pull ahead once more. While Chirag’s tactical awareness kept India within striking distance at 17–19, a between-the-legs shot from Satwik sailed long, granting China three game points. Liang eventually converted with a soft net tap to force a deciding third game.
The momentum shifted entirely in the final set as Wang Chang and Liang Wei Kang came out aggressive, racing to a 6–1 lead. The Indian pair struggled to handle Liang’s devastating flick serves and were often caught out of position, trailing 2–10 early on. Looking a step slow and struggling to read the Chinese attack, Satwik and Chirag faced a massive 2–11 deficit at the break. The struggles continued for the Indians after the interval as the lead stretched to 2–14. Although they staged a late-game surge to bring the score to 11–19, the comeback attempt faltered when a lift from Satwik went long. While Liang conceded two points through unforced errors, a final net error from Chirag ended the match, sealing the win for China in 63 minutes and ending the Indians' historic run with a bronze medal.