Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, India's top men's doubles pair, secured their second World Championship bronze medal at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris. Despite a hard-fought campaign, they were defeated in the semi-finals by the Chinese pair Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi with scores of 19-21, 21-18, 12-21.

The Indian duo's journey to the semi-finals was marked by impressive performances, including a quarter-final victory against their long-time rivals, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia. This win not only secured their place in the semi-finals but also avenged their previous Olympic loss to the same opponents in Paris. Satwik and Chirag displayed aggressive gameplay, with powerful smashes from Satwik and sharp net interceptions from Chirag. Their superior court coverage and tactical adaptation were also key to their success.

In the semi-final match against Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi, Satwik and Chirag started strong, taking an early lead in the first game. However, the Chinese pair fought back, leveling the score and eventually winning the first game 21-19. Undeterred, Satwik and Chirag rallied in the second game, showcasing defensive resilience and attacking flair to win 21-18.

Thedeciding game saw Chen and Liu dominate, racing to a 7-0 lead, which left Satwik and Chirag struggling. The Chinese pair continued to extend their lead, eventually winning the game 21-12 and securing their place in the final. Despite the loss, Satwik and Chirag's performance marked a historic milestone for Indian badminton. They became the first Indian men's doubles pair to secure multiple World Championships medals, adding to their bronze from 2022. Their achievement also ensured that India's streak of winning at least one medal at the World Championships since 2011 remained unbroken.

The journey of Satwik and Chirag to this stage has been one of remarkable determination. Previously, they had struggled against some of the toughest pairs. Their ability to hold their nerve in key moments helped seal the quarterfinal match in a 43-minute display of top-class badminton.

While Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty could not advance to the final, their bronze medal is a testament to their skill, perseverance, and contribution to Indian badminton. Their performance at the World Championships serves as an inspiration and elevates Indian badminton on the world stage.