Asian Games 2026: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Crash Out of Men's Doubles Badminton

India's premier men's doubles badminton pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have been knocked out of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya today, September 25, ending their campaign to defend their individual title. The news comes as a setback for Indian badminton, as the celebrated duo were aiming for an unprecedented second consecutive title. India Wins Bronze Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Men's Badminton Team Event.

The pair entered the individual competition on the heels of a strong performance in the men's team event, where India secured a bronze medal on September 23. In the semi-final clash against formidable opponents China, which India narrowly lost 3-1, Rankireddy and Shetty delivered a stellar performance. They decisively defeated the reigning world champions, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, with a commanding scoreline of 21-11, 22-20, showcasing their dominant form and resilience. This crucial win highlighted their ability to perform under pressure against the world's best, securing India's sole point in the team semi-final.

Their Campaign in Individual Doubles

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who were defending champions from Hangzhou 2023, began their individual men's doubles campaign at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. However, their journey in the individual event concluded today, September 25. Further details regarding their specific match or opponents leading to their elimination were not immediately available.  Nepal Stuns Afghanistan at Asian Games 2026 Cricket; Rohit Paudel, Sundeep Jora and Bowlers Shine For The Rhinos.

Their pursuit of a second successive Asian Games gold, which generated significant anticipation for India's badminton campaign, has thus come to an unexpected end.

Despite their early exit from the individual men's doubles event, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's bronze medal in the men's team competition stands as a significant achievement for India at the Asian Games 2026.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 01:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).