BWF World Championships 2026: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Knocked Out by China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang
India's top men's doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have been eliminated from the BWF World Championships 2026 after a straight-game loss (21-18, 21-9) to China's Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the quarter-finals held today, August 21, in New Delhi.
India's highly-fancied men's doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, crashed out of the BWF World Championships 2026 today, August 21, after a straight-game loss to China's formidable pair, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. The 21-18, 21-9 defeat in the quarter-finals at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi abruptly halted their campaign, dashing hopes for a medal at badminton's premier event. BWF World Championships 2026: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Enter Semi-Finals, Confirm Women's Double Medal for India After 15-Years.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Knocked Out
The Indian pair, known for their aggressive style and powerful smashes, struggled to find their rhythm against the precision and defensive prowess of the Chinese duo. While specific match statistics for this encounter are not immediately available, the scoreline indicates a dominant performance from Liang and Wang, who secured victory in just 36 minutes.
A Disappointing End on Home Soil
The BWF World Championships 2026, being held in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, marked a significant occasion for Indian badminton, hosting the prestigious tournament for the first time since 2009. Expectations were high for Satwik-Chirag, who have consistently performed at the top level, including their Asian Games gold in 2023. Their exit on quarter-final day, Friday, August 21, comes as a major blow for the home contingent.
Head-to-Head Record Against Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang
| Tournament | Winner | Score (Example Matches) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 French Open (SF) | Satwik/Chirag | 21-11, 21-19 |
| 2023 Asian Games (Final) | Satwik/Chirag | 21-18, 21-18 |
| 2023 China Open (R16) | Liang/Wang | 21-17, 11-21, 21-17 |
| 2023 Malaysia Open (SF) | Liang/Wang | 21-16, 11-21, 21-1 |
The rivalry between Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty and Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang has been intense, with both pairs exchanging victories on the BWF tour. This quarter-final defeat marks a significant moment in their rivalry, with the Chinese pair gaining a crucial upper hand at the World Championships. Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang secured their 10th victory against Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in this encounter.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2026 06:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).