Indian Badminton Powerhouse Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Withdraw from Badminton Asia Championships
India’s premier men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have withdrawn from the Badminton Asia Championships. The decision comes as a significant blow to the Indian contingent, leaving Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu to lead the nation’s charge in the tournament.
- Withdrawal: Rankireddy and Shetty are out of the Badminton Asia Championships due to injury.
- Team Leadership: PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen will now spearhead India’s campaign.
- Current Standing: The pair held a world ranking of 4 as of February 10, 2026.
Injury Impacts India’s Top-Ranked Duo
The withdrawal of Rankireddy and Shetty removes one of the strongest contenders from the field. As the only Indian doubles pair to have reached the world number 1 ranking and won a World Tour Super 1000, their absence creates a void in the men’s doubles category. According to recent reports, the pair had to pull out of the event to address injury concerns, shifting the spotlight to India’s singles stars to secure podium finishes.
A Look at Rankireddy and Shetty’s Dominance
The partnership between Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has redefined Indian badminton on the global stage. Their resume includes gold medals at the Asian Games, Asian Championships, and Commonwealth Games. They have secured double bronze medals at the World Championships.
Their consistency has kept them at the top of the sport, reaching a peak ranking of 1 on October 10, 2023, and maintaining a top-5 position into early 2026.
2026 Performance Review
Before their withdrawal, the duo had a mixed start to the 2026 season. Their recent tournament trajectory shows both flashes of brilliance and challenging matchups:
- YONEX Swiss Open (March): The pair reached the quarterfinals, recording wins over Eng Keat Wesley Koh/Junsuke Kubo and Hiroki Okamura/Kyohei Yamashita before receiving a walkover in the QF.
- YONEX All England Open (March): They exited in the Round of 32 after a loss to Kang Khai Xing and Aaron Tai.
- Badminton Asia Team Championships (February): They performed strongly in the round-robin stage with victories against pairs from Japan and other regions, though they faced a loss in the Men’s Team elimination round while partnering with Hariharan Amsakarunan.
- YONEX-SUNRISE India Open (January): Their campaign ended in the Round of 16 following a defeat to Hiroki Midorikawa and Kyohei Yamashita.
What’s Next for Indian Badminton?
With the BWF World Tour and major championships continuing, the focus now shifts to the recovery of Rankireddy and Shetty. For the immediate future, the pressure rests on PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen to maintain India’s competitive edge at the Badminton Asia Championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty withdraw?
The pair withdrew from the Badminton Asia Championships due to injury.
Who is leading the Indian team in their absence?
Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu are leading India’s challenge at the championships.
What is the current world ranking of the pair?
As of February 10, 2026, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were ranked number 4 in the world.