It was a day to remember for Indian badminton fans. Three matches, three wins, and three quarterfinal spots secured. While PV Sindhu and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto set the tone earlier in the day at BWF World Championships, the spotlight ultimately fell on the “Brothers of Destruction” Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
In a pulsating encounter at the BWF World Championships 2025, the Indian men’s doubles duo produced a stunning fightback to defeat their arch-rivals, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China, the reigning Paris 2024 silver medallists. The scoreline read 19-21, 21-15, 21-17, but it barely captures the drama of the contest. Liang and Wang have long been thorns in Satwik-Chirag’s journey, with the Chinese pair holding a head-to-head edge. Yet, the Indians have managed to carve out some of their most memorable victories against them, including at the Asian Games 2023.
This latest triumph, their third win over Liang/Wang, carried added weight redemption after the heartbreak of Paris, where the Chinese duo had stopped India’s progress.
How the Match Unfolded
The opening game saw both pairs locked in a tight battle, but Liang/Wang held their nerve in the closing stages to edge it 21-19. The Indians, however, regrouped superbly. With controlled aggression and sharp net play, Satwik-Chirag took charge of the second game, racing ahead to a 21-15 win and forcing the decider.
The third game was the very definition of edge-of-the-seat drama. At 15-17 down, the Indians looked set for another heartbreak. But then came the fightback a run of six straight points that turned the tide. From the backcourt smashes of Satwik to Chirag’s fearless interceptions at the net, the Indians wrested momentum and sealed the match 21-17.
This victory not only carried emotional significance but also statistical weight. The win sends Satwik-Chirag into their third consecutive World Championships quarterfinals, underlining their consistency at the highest level. Few pairs in the world have managed to maintain this level of performance across multiple editions. More importantly, the triumph came against opponents ranked among the world’s very best and ones who had denied them glory just a year ago.
A Day of Highs for Indian Badminton
For India, this was arguably the best day of 2025 on the badminton circuit. Sindhu, looking rejuvenated, secured her place in the last eight earlier in the day, reminding fans of her pedigree on the world stage. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto continued their remarkable run in mixed doubles, becoming only the third Indian pair in history to reach the World Championships quarterfinals in the discipline. Satwik-Chirag’s triumph, however, was the perfect climax. Their composure, resilience, and belief brought the Indian camp to its feet and gave fans across the globe reason to celebrate.
The road only gets tougher. Satwik and Chirag will next face the Malaysian duo of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, a pair who themselves are known for their big-match pedigree. But the momentum is with the Indians, and with confidence soaring, they will back themselves to break barriers yet again. More than just a quarterfinal berth, this was a statement victory. It showed that Satwik and Chirag can hold their nerve against the world’s very best, even when the odds seem stacked against them.
It was a performance that reminded everyone why the Indian pair once rose to World No. 1 and why they continue to be India’s best hope for world and Olympic glory in doubles.
For now, though, Indian fans will simply savor the moment: three wins, three quarterfinal spots, and a day that will be remembered as one of the finest in Indian badminton’s modern history.
