Indian Badminton Stars Set to Shine at Home in BWF World Championships

New Delhi, August 16: Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are relishing the opportunity to compete in their first BWF World Championships on home soil. The dynamic men’s doubles duo believes that the support from local fans could provide a significant advantage. This championship marks the return of the BWF World Championships to India after 17 years, taking place from August 17 to 23 at the Indira Gandhi Arena.

Seeded fifth, Satwik and Chirag received a bye in the first round. They will face the winners of the opening match between Scotland’s Alexander Dunn and Adam Pringle, and Thailand’s Chalermpon Charoenkitamorn and Worapol Thongsang.

The biggest draw for the Indian pair is the chance to experience the World Championships in front of their home crowd. In a media interaction before their first match, Chirag expressed, “I believe a lot of work has gone into this. There is a huge crowd here. I think the atmosphere will be much better. Everyone is looking forward to experiencing the tournament. We are all eagerly waiting for it.”

The duo is seen as a strong contender for a medal in India. Addressing the added pressure of expectations, Chirag stated, “I think this is another opportunity. We will do our best to progress in the tournament and aim for a medal. There is no pressure. I see it as an added advantage. We will have the support of our home crowd. It feels like a privilege to compete in our own country. We will make the most of it and enjoy.”

Satwik added, “Playing in front of a home audience is always special. It’s not just about being in India or playing here. When we started competing in international tournaments, we had very few opportunities to play.”

Recently troubled by a shoulder issue, Satwik confirmed, “I am fully fit and feeling good. I have practiced here. The court conditions have varied during practice sessions, especially regarding drift. When we started in the morning, there was no drift at all. After some time, drift developed. However, this is not unusual for international badminton.”

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