Reshaping the Court as Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi and Hariharan Amsakarunan have decided to move with new partners in Men Doubles: How India’s Badminton Doubles Landscape is Entering a New Phase
Indian badminton is experiencing one of its most dynamic transitions in recent memory, particularly in the doubles categories. In just a few months, a series of unexpected partnership reshuffles, strategic re-allocations, and even disciplinary setbacks have forced the national setup to rethink its approach. The break-up of the men’s doubles pair of Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi and Hariharan Amsakarunan, the doping suspension of Krishna Prasad Garaga, and the deliberate decision for Dhruv Kapila to focus on mixed doubles with Tanisha Crasto are not isolated events—they represent a broader recalibration in India’s doubles program.
With the BWF World Championships in Paris (Aug 25–31, 2025) and a packed World Tour calendar ahead, the success of these new combinations could determine whether India can expand beyond its reliance on Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and emerge as a multi-dimensional doubles powerhouse.
The End of Ruban–Hariharan: A Dependable Pair Split Apart
Ruban and Hariharan had carved a reputation as a reliable second pair behind Satwik–Chirag. They stepped up when required, such as serving as India’s reserves during the Sudirman Cup 2025, and even had a strong run at the US Open Super 300 (quarterfinals). Earlier this year, they clinched the Reunion Open title, proving their ability to win at the International Challenge level. Their world ranking had climbed into the top 50 and was projected towards the top 35.
Individually, Hariharan was known for his attacking prowess and a blistering 457.2 km/h smash recorded at the Sudirman Cup, while Ruban, just 22 years old, displayed a steadier all-round game. Their partnership, built since 2022 at the Gopichand Academy, thrived on simplicity and mutual trust. Yet, in August 2025, it was announced they would part ways. Hariharan has since teamed up with M.R. Arjun, while Ruban has joined Vishnu Goud Panjala, a chain reaction triggered by Garaga’s doping ban. The Ruban–Hariharan split highlights how fragile doubles partnerships can be, often at the mercy of external disruptions and shifting national strategies.
New Pairings: Immediate Promise vs. Long-Term Potential
Hariharan Amsakarunan & M.R. Arjun
This partnership blends youthful aggression with experience. At 21–22, Hariharan brings raw attacking energy, while 27-year-old Arjun adds tactical maturity and the credibility of a Thomas Cup medalist and former World No. 19 in men’s doubles. Arjun’s well-rounded game and quick decision-making could balance Hariharan’s explosive but sometimes erratic offense. The key will be defining roles clearly—who commands the net, who dominates from the back court—and gelling defensively against the world’s elite pairs. Given Arjun’s track record of beating top-10 pairs, this duo has the potential for immediate impact on the circuit.
Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi & Vishnu Goud Panjala
This is a partnership born out of necessity. Vishnu, 24, was forced to seek a new partner after Garaga’s four-year doping ban. Ruban, with his consistency, was the natural fit. Unlike Hariharan–Arjun, this pair is more of a developmental project. Vishnu has proven pedigree—part of India’s Thomas Cup-winning team in 2022, a bronze medalist at the Asia Mixed Team Championships, and a former World No. 31 with Garaga. He is sharp at the net and thrives in fast exchanges. Paired with Ruban’s steady temperament, the foundation is there, but chemistry will take time.
The immediate challenge is adapting quickly under pressure in high-profile tournaments. Long-term, however, Ruban–Vishnu could emerge as India’s second strong pair, providing crucial depth beyond Satwik–Chirag.
Mixed Doubles Ascendancy: Dhruv Kapila & Tanisha Crasto
Perhaps the clearest strategic move from the Badminton Association of India is the decision for Dhruv Kapila to concentrate fully on mixed doubles with Tanisha Crasto. This pair has already given Indian badminton something it has long lacked: a world-class mixed doubles team.
- World ranking: Career-high of No. 16 (May 2025), currently No. 17.
- Key results: Winners of the Odisha Masters 2023, finalists at the Syed Modi International 2024, pre-quarterfinalists at the Asia Championships 2025.
Their complementary strengths make them formidable: Dhruv’s power and tactical reading from the back court combine with Tanisha’s ferocious attacking instincts and sharp net play. Still only 22, Tanisha has already become India’s leading mixed doubles specialist. By focusing on this category, India is aiming to diversify medal prospects. For too long, singles stars and Satwik–Chirag have carried the burden; a consistent top-20 mixed doubles pair adds a new dimension to India’s global standing.
The Doping: Krishna Prasad Garaga’s Suspension
No discussion of the current reshuffle is complete without addressing the doping ban on Krishna Prasad Garaga. At 24, Garaga’s career has been derailed by a four-year suspension after testing positive for hCG and LH, hormones linked to testosterone stimulation. The ban, backdated to July 2024, effectively ends his Paris Olympic ambitions and casts doubt on his ability to return at the same level. Garaga and Vishnu had been a rising pair, hitting World No. 31 and targeting Olympic qualification. His absence has not only forced Vishnu to rebuild his career with Ruban but also raised questions about anti-doping awareness in Indian badminton.
This case, along with other recent positives in the sport, underlines the urgent need for the BAI to strengthen its education and testing systems. Isolated or systemic, such incidents threaten India’s credibility on the global stage.
The return of Tan Kim Her as India’s doubles head coach is timely. Known as the architect who paired Satwik–Chirag in 2015, Kim Her has already set ambitious targets: to revamp the doubles programme and develop 1,000 doubles players by the next Olympic cycle. His emphasis on group training, rotation strategies, and building tactical depth fits perfectly with the new partnerships forming now. Under him, the Ruban–Vishnu and Hariharan–Arjun pairs have the opportunity to grow systematically, while Dhruv–Tanisha could become seeded regulars at the highest tier. If successful, this would signal a more sustainable, multi-pronged doubles ecosystem, no longer overly reliant on one standout pair.
US Open : Tanvi Shines, Ayush Advances, and Hariharan/Ruban Cruise to Quarters
The new combinations will face their first real tests at the BWF World Championships in Paris and then a grueling Asian and European tour through September–November, including the Hong Kong Open, Denmark Open, and French Open. These tournaments will expose the pairs to relentless competition and provide a crash course in chemistry under pressure.
- Hariharan–Arjun: Expected to deliver quicker results, possibly breaking into the top 30 within a year.
- Ruban–Vishnu: Longer-term project, but consistent runs at Super 300/500 events could accelerate progress.
- Dhruv–Tanisha: Medal outsiders at the World Championships, with eyes firmly on qualifying for the World Tour Finals.
Indian badminton doubles stands at a crossroads. The end of Ruban–Hariharan, the rise of new combinations, the strategic prioritization of mixed doubles, and the setback of Garaga’s suspension are all pieces of a larger puzzle.
Handled poorly, this could fragment momentum and leave India over-dependent on Satwik–Chirag. But managed well under the guidance of Tan Kim Her and with patience for the new pairs it could lay the foundation for a golden generation of doubles depth. For now, the coming months will be about adaptation, experimentation, and resilience. The reshaping of partnerships is not a setback, but a chance to redesign India’s doubles program for the long run. The trials ahead will determine whether these new partnerships can rise to the challenge and ensure that India is not just a one-pair nation, but a formidable force across all doubles categories.
