Indian men's doubles team Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, sometimes referred to as Satwik Chirag or SatChi, bravely advanced to the KFF Singapore Badminton Open 2025 quarterfinals with a fearless demonstration of grit and poise. In an exciting Round of 16 match, they defeated the eighth-seeded Indonesian duo of Pramudya Kusumawardana Gutama and Yeremia Rambitan Isfahani 19-21, 21-16, 21-19.
Triumph Despite Rustiness Against WR-8
The second-seeded Indians, who are returning to the circuit after an injury layoff, didn't put up a perfect show. Rust was clearly visible, especially in the first game when they had trouble finding time and rhythm. The two of them made a number of uncommon mistakes, which may be a strong sign that match fitness is still being worked on. Satwik in particular appeared to be a little off his typical explosive pace.
Early on, the Indonesians took advantage, winning the first match 21–19. However, SatChi's capacity to recover—which they did—is what makes them such a powerful duo on the international scene. The Indians rallied in the second game, winning 21-16 to tie the series, thanks to better court coverage and a renewed sense of focus.
Keeping their composure in the face of the decision
Both partners engaged in a fierce neck-and-neck struggle in the decisive game, which was a stressful affair. World No. 8 Gutama and Isfahani played with assurance, but SatChi maintained composure when it counted most. They edged ahead at 19-all after a pivotal late-game surge, and they ended the match with composure that belied their recent injury comeback. The final score after 64 minutes of excellent badminton was 19-21, 21-16, 21-19.
A Challenge in the Quarterfinals
With the victory, Satwik and Chirag will now play Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, a formidable duo renowned for their quickness and flat exchanges, in the quarterfinals. The Malaysians will be a difficult obstacle to overcome given their present performance and the seeming lack of confidence in the Indian camp.
Nevertheless, the Indian duo will be looking to gain momentum and correct the unforced mistakes that marred their R16 performance now that they have a game under their belt and important court time.
Supporters of the Indian Badminton Brothers
Even if SatChi isn't playing at their best, their victory has given supporters new optimism. Indian fans, who are aware of the "Brothers of Indian Badminton's" potential when healthy, are keenly following their trip in Singapore as they continue to inspire with their battling spirit.
There were a lot of reactions on social media
The lack of match fitness is evident. However, they maintained their composure.
- Even though they're not at their best, they still won!
- Good luck to the QF—all well that ends well!
Mixed Doubles: Rohan and Ruthvika's Early Exit
Unfortunately for Indian supporters, Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde's mixed doubles team lost in the Round of 16. The seasoned Hong Kong duo of Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet beat them in back-to-back games, losing 10-21, 16-21 in just thirty-two minutes.
Now, all eyes will be on the men's doubles quarterfinal, as Satwik and Chirag hope to carry on their remarkable comeback. They have a good chance of making it to the semifinals if they can correct their unintentional mistakes and regain their signature intensity. The path ahead is difficult for SatChi right now, but they are getting closer to their peak with each game. The fire is obviously still there, but the roar hasn't returned yet.
