Hangzhou : India’s top men’s doubles badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty got off to a flying start at the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals, defeating China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in a dramatic three-game contest on Wednesday.
The season-ending showdown — featuring the top eight players/pairs from the global circuit — is being held in Hangzhou, China with a prize purse of US$3 million and boasts the sport’s best performers from 2025.
Match Highlights
After a slow start, India’s World No. 3 pairing turned the tables to win 2–1 (12–21, 22–20, 21–14) against their Chinese rivals in the Group B opener.
The first game saw Liang and Wang dominate with aggressive net play and quick rallies, but Satwik-Chirag regrouped to take momentum in the middle and final games with sharp intercepts and powerful smashes.
This resilient comeback underscores Satwik and Chirag’s experience and adaptability on big stages — qualities that helped them secure a bronze medal at the 2025 BWF World Championships earlier this year.
Why This Win Matters
The Tour Finals is a round-robin format, meaning early victories are vital for semifinal qualification. Satwik-Chirag’s win immediately puts India in a strong position within their group alongside Malaysia’s Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik and Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri.
Historically, the Chinese pair Liang/Wang have been a tough matchup — often trading win/loss results with the Indian duo — making this opening victory even more significant.
Quick Facts
This is India’s sole entry in the 2025 World Tour Finals (no singles stars qualified this year).
Satwik and Chirag are World No. 3 in men’s doubles and one of the few Indian badminton pairs to consistently compete at the highest level.
The World Tour Finals feature only the top eight ranked players/pairs from across the badminton season, making it one of the sport’s most elite events.
Looking Ahead
With their first match in the bag, Satwik-Chirag now set their sights on the rest of Group B, where every match will be a test against world-class opposition. A strong round-robin record could see the Indians make deep progress and contend for a historic Tour Finals title.
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