Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty Return to Action, Lead Indian Hopes at Singapore Open 2025
India’s top men’s doubles badminton pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are all set to make a strong comeback as they lead the Indian contingent at the Singapore Open 2025. Their return comes after nearly three months away from competitive action due to Chirag’s injury, and fans across the country are excited to watch them compete again.
The dynamic duo, who once held the world number one ranking in men’s doubles, last appeared at the All England Championships in March 2025. Their campaign ended in the second round when Chirag experienced back pain that forced them to withdraw. Since then, the pair has focused on recovery and intense training, and now, the Singapore Open provides an ideal stage for their return ahead of the Paris Olympics.
A Crucial Return Ahead of Olympic Season
Their return couldn’t have come at a more important time. With the Paris Olympics just weeks away, Satwik and Chirag need to regain their rhythm and form quickly. Many experts see them as serious medal contenders in men’s doubles badminton. That makes the Singapore Open not just a comeback event, but also a key opportunity to test their physical and mental preparedness.
This Super 750 event on the BWF World Tour has attracted many of the world’s best players who are also fine-tuning their game for the Olympics. For Satwik and Chirag, every match here will help them build confidence and identify areas to sharpen further.
Overcoming Injury and Preparing for the Comeback
Chirag Shetty’s back injury disrupted their season just when they were gaining momentum. Despite securing Olympic qualification earlier, missing multiple events during the qualification phase posed a challenge to their consistency.
Fortunately, Chirag avoided surgery. He underwent a well-structured rehabilitation program, supported by the Sports Authority of India’s medical staff. Over the past few weeks, he and Satwik resumed full training under the guidance of their coach Mathias Boe. They focused on strength building, coordination drills, and strategic planning to ensure they return stronger.
High Expectations in an Olympic Year
Satwik and Chirag have risen steadily over the past few years, turning into India’s most successful men’s doubles pair. From promising juniors to global stars, their journey reflects consistent effort, chemistry, and resilience.
The pair achieved historic success by helping India win the Thomas Cup in 2022, and later claimed a bronze at the 2023 World Championships. They have also lifted multiple Super Series titles and became the first Indian men’s doubles pair to reach the world number one spot—a massive achievement for Indian badminton.
As the 2025 season progresses toward the Olympics, expectations from them have never been higher. The Singapore Open will offer the first glimpse of how close they are to reaching peak form.
Indian Contingent Ready for the Challenge
While Satwik and Chirag are in the spotlight, India has sent a strong squad to the Singapore Open. The tournament also features top singles players like HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and PV Sindhu, who aim to fine-tune their game before heading to Paris.
Prannoy hopes to regain his best form after struggling with fitness issues, while Lakshya Sen looks to add consistency to his performances. PV Sindhu, still in search of a major title this year, will be closely watched as she continues adjusting under her new coaching team.
India’s young doubles pairs will also benefit from this high-level tournament. MR Arjun-Dhruv Kapila in men’s doubles, and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand in women’s doubles, will look to challenge top pairs and gain valuable exposure.
Eyes on Paris, Focus on Singapore
Satwik and Chirag know the road to Olympic success starts with strong performances in tournaments like this. Their goal remains clear: stay injury-free, sharpen their coordination, and time their peak perfectly for the Games.
Coach Mathias Boe expressed confidence in their readiness. “They’ve trained hard and look sharp. The injury break gave them time to reset mentally and physically. Now, it’s about converting that effort into wins on the court,” he said.
Though the Singapore Open may not carry Olympic-level prestige, it holds deep significance for Satwik and Chirag. It’s a chance to prove they’re back, more determined than ever, and fully capable of competing at the highest level again.
