Asian Games: Defending champion Satwiksaraj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty suffer shock first-round exit

India’s Satwiksiraj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (IANS image) NEW DELHI: India suffered a major setback in badminton at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday when defending men’s doubles champions Satwiksiraj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty crashed out in the opening round.The fourth-seeded Indian pair, who were among the country’s leading medal hopes, were stunned by Thailand’s Pakkapan Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun as they lost 21-12, 19-21, 14-21 in a match that lasted one hour and eight minutes.The defeat ended Satwik and Chirag’s bid to defend the gold medal they had won at the previous Asian Games.

Satwik-Chirag give up early advantage

The Indian duo got off to an impressive start and appeared to be in control after taking the opener 21-12 in 20 minutes.However, Teeraratsakul and Sukphun gradually found their rhythm and turned the contest around. The Thai pair kept the pressure on the Indians in the second game, eventually leveling the score at 21-19 after 24 minutes to force a decider.Asian Games full coverage | Medal Tally | ScheduleSatwik and Chirag were unable to regain their momentum in the final game. The Thai pair quickly took control and completed the upset in just 19 minutes, winning in a decisive 21-14.The Indian pair’s inability to close out the match after winning the opening game proved costly as the Thai shuttlers produced an even finish to seal one of the major upsets of the badminton competition.

Failure after bronze team event

The early exit marks a disappointing start to India’s individual badminton campaign after the men’s team secured a bronze medal in the team event.Satwik and Chirag entered the men’s doubles draw as fourth seeds and were expected to challenge for another podium finish after their golden success at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.Instead, their campaign ended in the first round, leaving India without one of the biggest contenders for a medal in the men’s doubles.