The second round of Group B at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2025 promises to be a defining moment for India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, Satwik–Chirag as they face Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre on Thursday evening.
With qualification stakes already coming sharply into focus, this contest is set to test not just skill and strategy, but also nerve and adaptability.
Satwik and Chirag come into this encounter with valuable momentum after a hard-earned opening-day victory that underlined their resilience. In their Group B opener on Wednesday, the world No. 3 Indian pair staged a stirring comeback to defeat China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in three games, 12–21, 22–20, 21–14. After being comprehensively outplayed in the first game, the Indians recalibrated their approach, raised their intensity in the mid-court exchanges, and showed remarkable composure under pressure.
The turning point came in the second game, where Satwik–Chirag saved a game point at 19–20 before closing it out 22–20. That escape proved decisive. Once they forced the match into a decider, the Indians played with freedom and authority, tightening their defence, attacking with greater clarity, and keeping the Chinese pair from settling into rhythm. The win not only earned them a crucial first match point in the group but also sent a clear signal that they are mentally prepared for the grind of the season-ending finals.
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That context adds extra significance to Thursday’s match against Alfian–Fikri. While the Indonesians are ranked world No. 9, their pairing has been one of the stories of the 2025 season. Formed midway through the year, the Alfian–Fikri combination has delivered results almost immediately, including deep runs at major tournaments and a Super 1000 title. Alfian brings pedigree and experience as a former world No. 1, while Fikri’s defensive discipline and consistency have made the pair hard to break down.
The head-to-head between the two pairs currently stands at 1–0 in favour of the Indonesians, who defeated Satwik–Chirag earlier this year at the Australian Open. That match exposed certain tactical challenges for the Indian duo. Despite starting aggressively, Satwik–Chirag were gradually drawn into longer rallies, allowing Alfian–Fikri to absorb pressure and strike at critical moments. The Indonesians’ ability to stay calm in the closing stages proved decisive, particularly when the Indians were unable to convert late leads.
However, the circumstances in Hangzhou are notably different. Satwik and Chirag have already settled into the conditions at the Olympic Sports Centre, having navigated the drift and changing shuttle speed during their comeback win against the Chinese pair. That experience could prove invaluable. The Indians themselves acknowledged after the opening match that conditions varied significantly between games, demanding quick adjustments in shot selection and serving length.
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From an Indian perspective, Thursday’s match is about building on what worked on Day 1 while ironing out slow starts. Against Liang and Wang, Satwik–Chirag took time to find their rhythm, particularly on serve and return. Against Alfian–Fikri, allowing the Indonesians early control could be costly, especially given their strength in structured, attritional rallies.
Tactically, the Indian pair will look to impose themselves early, using Chirag’s speed and anticipation at the net to force weak lifts and give Satwik opportunities to unleash his power from the back court. When Satwik is able to attack steeply and repeatedly, few pairs in the world can withstand the pressure. But patience will be equally important. Alfian–Fikri thrive on opponents overhitting or rushing winners, and the Indians will need to choose their moments carefully.
For the Indonesians, the equation is clear. After a narrow opening-day defeat, another loss would leave them with little margin for error in the remaining group matches. Expect Alfian–Fikri to play with urgency, looking to extend rallies, target the spaces between the Indian pair, and disrupt their attacking flow. Alfian’s experience at the front court and Fikri’s retrieval skills will be central to that plan.
The broader Group B context only heightens the drama. With all pairs capable of beating each other, every match, game, and even point could matter in determining semi-final qualification. A second win for Satwik–Chirag would put them in a strong position to advance, potentially allowing them to approach their final group match with greater clarity and reduced pressure. Conversely, a defeat would tighten the group considerably, making the final round a high-stakes affair.
Scheduled for 5:50 PM IST and live on JioHotstar, this Round 2 clash promises elite men’s doubles badminton at its finest power against patience, experience against momentum.
For Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, it is another opportunity to translate their strong opening performance into sustained progress at the sport’s most exclusive event. For Indian fans, it is a must-watch contest that could define the trajectory of India’s challenge at the 2025 BWF World Tour Finals.
