Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty: ‘We want to go as far as possible’

India’s men’s doubles stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are keeping their message simple as they build towards the next big challenge: take it one match at a time, and go as far as they can.

In an interview, the pair acknowledged that the World Championships remain a special target — they are eyeing a third medal at the Worlds — but they also stressed the importance of staying present and process-driven. For a team that has steadily grown into a global contender, the approach reflects maturity: ambitious, yet measured.

A clear goal, with a calm approach

Rankireddy and Shetty have become one of India’s most recognisable badminton partnerships in recent years, known for their pace, power and on-court understanding. With that profile comes expectation, particularly around marquee events such as the World Championships.

Yet, rather than projecting certainty or dwelling on outcomes, the duo is framing the campaign around small, controllable steps. Their aim, they said, is to go “as far as possible” — but without letting the bigger picture distract them from the demands of each match.

This mindset is increasingly common among elite athletes: focusing on routines, shot selection, and decision-making under pressure, rather than getting drawn into medal calculations. In doubles, where momentum can swing quickly and coordination is crucial, a match-by-match lens can be the difference between a solid run and a missed opportunity.

For Indian fans and young players watching closely, the message is both encouraging and practical. It underlines that big goals are still built through consistent habits — preparation, recovery, and the discipline to treat early rounds with the same seriousness as the later stages.

Managing injuries, rebuilding confidence

The duo also spoke candidly about injury concerns in the recent past. Without dramatising the issue, they admitted that fitness has been a consideration, as it often is in a physically demanding doubles schedule.

The positive update is that they now feel “good to go”. That reassurance matters because men’s doubles at the highest level is relentless: repeated jumps, fast defensive reactions, and high-intensity rallies place continuous stress on the body.

In this context, being able to train well, recover properly and enter competition with confidence is a significant advantage. It also points to the professionalism behind the scenes — from training loads and physiotherapy to the careful balancing of tournaments.

For India’s broader sporting ecosystem, the pair’s comments highlight an important truth: sustained success is as much about managing the body as it is about mastering technique. As Indian badminton expands its footprint globally, such athlete-first approaches help strengthen long-term performance.

A partnership built for the long run

Rankireddy and Shetty have consistently shown that strong doubles chemistry is not just talent, but communication and clarity under pressure. Their focus on taking things one match at a time suggests they are thinking beyond a single event — towards building stability, learning from every outing, and staying adaptable to different opponents and playing conditions.

While the Worlds naturally carry extra weight, their stated approach is a reminder that top-level sport is rarely linear. There are peaks, small setbacks, and periods of rebuilding. The key is to keep moving forward with confidence and realism.

As they set their sights on another strong run, Indian supporters can take heart in the tone of the interview: grounded ambition, improved fitness, and a steady commitment to progress.

**Why it matters:** A calm, process-led mindset — alongside smart injury management — helps India’s leading doubles pair compete consistently at the highest level, strengthening the country’s growing presence in global badminton.