India’s top men’s doubles duo embrace tactical changes as they eye their 10th World Tour title
India’s premier men’s doubles badminton pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, believe their recent resurgence is the result of constant evolution. From experimenting with service variations to embracing a side-by-side formation, the duo has added fresh dimensions to their game — a shift that has already paid dividends on the world stage.
Turning Setbacks into Strengths
After a challenging 16 months disrupted by injuries and illness, Satwik and Chirag slipped as low as World No. 27. Yet, they bounced back in style, clinching a bronze medal at the World Championships in Paris and reaching the finals of both the Hong Kong Super 500 and China Masters Super 750. Now ranked World No. 7, the nine-time BWF World Tour winners are hungry for their 10th crown.
“Everybody expects results, but there are factors you can’t control,” Chirag said. “From 27th to back in the top 8 within a few months is something we’re proud of.”
The Side-by-Side Switch
Traditionally reliant on the front-and-back system, the duo has adopted a side-by-side strategy, particularly after serves, to counter fast exchanges. “It’s worked really well in recent tournaments,” Chirag explained. “Once one of us serves, the other splits up to cut off pushes at the net. It gives us more control.”
Their coach, Tan Kim Her, who guided them early in their careers, encouraged the change. The Malaysian mentor has been instrumental in their evolution, with Satwik adding, “We trust him completely, and that bond pushes us to keep improving.”
Sharpening the Serve and the Defence
Service improvements have also been key, with Chirag introducing a flat serve that has troubled opponents. “The game is too quick to rely on one style,” he said. “You need multiple ways to score, and that’s what we’re developing.”
While their attack remains world-class, Satwik admits defence is still a work in progress. “Compared to the top pairs, we fall behind in holding rallies under pressure. If we strengthen our defence, especially in crunch situations, it will take us further.”
Their Paris bronze, their second World Championships medal, proved to be the turning point. “We beat opponents we had struggled against before,” Chirag recalled. “That gave us belief, which carried us through to back-to-back finals.”
Looking Ahead
For now, the pair is enjoying a short break — Satwik celebrating Dussehra at home, while Chirag spends time with family — before regrouping in Hyderabad for training. With the French Open and Denmark Open coming up, they remain focused.
“We may not have crossed the line in the finals yet, but we know we’re on the right track,” Chirag said. “As long as we keep evolving, the big wins will come.”