Satwik, Chirag win Indonesian Open, first Indian pair to bag Super 1000 title

HYDERABAD: Rising shuttler duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty scripted history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian pair to win the Badminton World Federation Super 1000 Indonesian Open title. They defeated reigning world champions and second seeded pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia, 21-17, 21-18 in the final at Istora Senayan of Jakarta in Indonesia.

This is the first and the biggest BWF Super 1000 title won by the ace Indian pair in their doubles career so far. Having entered the final as underdogs, Satwik and Chirag shrugged off all odds, including their dismal 0-8 head-to-head record against the formidable Malaysian duo till the Sunday clash, to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the Indonesian Open history.

Continuing their superb run in the tournament, the seventh seeded Indian pair put on a brilliant show winning the final in two straight games. The two combined well to hold their nerves in the second game when the Malaysian shuttlers clawed their way back by winning four points, and staved off a spirited challenge from them to seal the victory.

Earlier, Satwik and Chirag caused flutters when they defeated South Koreans Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae 17-21, 21-19, 21-18 in the semi-final. The two staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first game and winning the next two games in a closely contested encounter.

Currently ranked World Number 6 in badminton doubles, the dynamic pair, with their stunning title win in the Indonesian Open on Sunday, ended India’s long drought in terms of a top podium finish at the Super 1000 event.

The latest title victory of the duo comes on the back of a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games and bronze at the World Championships that they won in 2022.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has his moorings at Amalapuram of Andhra Pradesh but spent most of his badminton training years in Hyderabad. His partner Chirag Shetty is a native of Mumbai. Both trained for several years at Pullela Gopichand’s badminton academy in Hyderabad.

YS Jagan congratulates Satwik, Chirag

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy congratulated Satwikraj Rankireddy, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, and Chirag Shetty on winning the Indonesia Open BWF Super 1000 Badminton 2023 doubles title defeating world champion Malaysian duo in straight sets.

The Chief Minister wished the pair many more victories in future tournaments.