Leading contenders vie for glory against India’s rising doubles duo
As India’s formidable badminton pair Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty look to build on their performance from the previous Olympics, they are set to face stiff competition from three rivals who will challenge for the top prize. Rankireddy and Shetty put in a spirited display in Tokyo, narrowly missing out on the knockout rounds on point difference. However, they will be targeting gold when the sport moves to Paris in 2024.
The world No. 7 duo warmed up for the big event by winning the French Open on home soil earlier this year. This victory in their final tune-up tournament should give them confidence facing a field with several potential medalists. While the initial group matches provide an opportunity to ease in, Rankireddy and Shetty could encounter Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto in a tricky final group encounter.
Alfian and Ardianto, currently ranked sixth, have troubled the Indians before, though Rankireddy and Shetty hold a winning head-to-head in recent meetings. Another tough hurdle may come in the form of Kim Astrup and Anders Rasmussen of Denmark, the world No. 2 team who have often outfoxed the Indians in the past but were defeated by them recently.
However, the biggest roadblock for golden glory appears to be China’s world No. 1 pairing of Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang. Weikeng and Chang have developed into a dominant force, defeating Rankireddy and Shetty twice already this season. With minimal margin for error at the highest level, India’s bright young stars will need to summon all their skills and energy to outwit these rivals and achieve unprecedented success.
