India Doubles Semifinal Clash
Hangzhou
India’s premier men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri today in a decisive Group B encounter at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 in Hangzhou, China. With a semifinal berth at stake, the match assumes significant importance for the Indian duo, who are the country’s sole representatives at the prestigious season-ending tournament.
Satwik and Chirag began their campaign on a positive note, registering a spirited comeback victory against China’s Chang Wang and Wei Keng Liang in their opening Group B match. After losing the first game 12-21, the Indians showed remarkable composure and resilience to clinch the second game 22-20 before sealing the contest 21-14 in the decider. The win not only boosted their confidence but also placed them in a strong position in a highly competitive group.
The BWF World Tour Finals feature the top eight players and pairs across categories based on rankings and performances throughout the season. Being the only Indian entry at the tournament, Satwik and Chirag carry the nation’s hopes as they compete against the world’s elite combinations. Their presence in Hangzhou underlines their consistency on the world circuit and their stature as one of the leading men’s doubles pairs globally. Placed in Group B, the Indian duo face stiff competition from China’s Liang and Wang, Indonesia’s Alfian and Fikri, and Malaysia’s experienced pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Each match in the round-robin stage is crucial, as only the top two pairs from the group advance to the semifinals. The clash against the Indonesian pair is expected to be particularly challenging, given Indonesia’s strong tradition and depth in men’s doubles badminton. Satwik and Chirag’s aggressive style, quick reflexes at the net, and powerful smashes have been key to their success in recent years.
