India’s badminton duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, were eliminated in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open 2025, losing to South Korea’s Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae. Despite starting strongly in the second game, the pair could not maintain their momentum. Their campaign concluded as they prepare for the upcoming India Open next week in New Delhi.
The campaign of Indian badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy at the Malaysia Open 2025 came to a halt in the semi-finals of the men’s doubles event, held in Kuala Lumpur. The seventh-seeded pair was defeated by South Korean duo Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae with a score of 21-10, 21-15 in a 40-minute contest. This outcome concluded India’s participation in the prestigious BWF Super 1000 tournament.
Reflecting on the match, Chirag Shetty acknowledged the strong performance of their opponents, stating, “They played well; they didn’t give away any easy points and made us work hard for every point.” Satwik echoed this sentiment, admitting disappointment but touting the overall success of the tournament for them. Despite an early setback, where they trailed 11-6 in the first game, the paired Indian players improved in the second game but ultimately could not maintain their lead.
In the ranking of men’s doubles pairs, Satwik and Chirag currently hold the ninth position. Their match-up against Kim and Seo was especially challenging, as Kim is a silver medallist in mixed doubles from the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, while Seo stands as one half of the reigning world champions in both men’s and mixed doubles categories. In the previous edition of this open, the celebrated pair were runners-up.
Other notable Indian shuttlers faced early eliminations as well; Olympians Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy were ousted in earlier rounds. PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, chose to skip this tournament. The Indian badminton community shifts its focus to the upcoming India Open, slated to commence on Tuesday in New Delhi.
The defeat of Satwik and Chirag underscores a moment of growth despite the disappointment, setting the stage for future competitive endeavors in the badminton circuit.
The Malaysia Open is a prominent badminton tournament that attracts top talent from around the world. It is part of the Badminton World Federation’s Super 1000 series, highlighting the competitive nature of the events and the high stakes for international players. The tournament provides an opportunity for athletes to gain invaluable experience, showcase their skills, and earn critical ranking points. For Indian badminton, representation in such a significant event is a matter of pride and showcases the evolving landscape of the sport in the country.
In conclusion, while Satwik and Chirag’s journey in the Malaysia Open 2025 concluded in the semi-finals, their performance reflects both resilience and potential for future tournaments. The team’s ability to compete closely against formidable opponents indicates their growing status in the international badminton arena. With upcoming competitions like the India Open, Indian shuttlers are poised to demonstrate their capabilities further.
Original Source: olympics.com
