Singapore: India’s star men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made a resounding return to competitive badminton with a straight-game victory at the Singapore Open Super 750, brushing aside Malaysia’s Muhammad Haikal and Choong Hon Jian 21-16, 21-13 in under 40 minutes on Wednesday.
While Lakshya Sen’s campaign ended on a disappointing note, the former world No. 1 Indian duo gave Indian fans something to cheer about as they showcased sharp form and seamless coordination in their first match since March. The pair had earlier withdrawn from the All England Championships due to Chirag’s back injury and also missed the Sudirman Cup, with Satwik also dealing with health concerns.
Despite these recent setbacks, the current world No. 27 duo showed no signs of rustiness. They looked focused and fluid on court, overpowering the Malaysian world No. 41 pair with their trademark aggression and intelligent play. This victory also marked their second career win over Haikal and Choong.
The commanding performance signals that India’s top doubles team is back in rhythm just in time for the crucial stretch of the season. Their return adds strength to India’s badminton campaign ahead of the upcoming high-profile tournaments, including the Paris Olympics later this year.
