Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have taken the badminton world by storm. The bronze medallists from the 2022 World Championship in Tokyo and the 2022 Asian Games gold medallists have become the first Indian men’s doubles pair to be ranked world No.1. As they gear up to represent India at Paris 2024, their journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
Recently, the duo shared insights into their game and personal lives during an engaging session with Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema’s ‘Get Set Gold’. The conversation revealed some fascinating aspects of their training, their camaraderie, and the influences that shaped their sporting careers.
Satwik’s intriguing revelation
One of the most intriguing revelations came from Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest badminton hit at a staggering speed of 565 km/hr. He shared how he developed his powerful smash, a crucial element in his game. Surprisingly, Satwik’s inspiration came not from badminton, but from volleyball. “I learned the smash from volleyball, observing how players jump and smash. It looked heroic, and that’s how I started practising my jump. No one taught me; it was something I picked up on my own,” Satwik explained. He also described his strategy of taking a peripheral view to sense opponents’ positions, transitioning from hitting angled shots to targeting opponents’ bodies directly.
In their chat with the media, Shetty and Rankireddy discussed the physical demands of their sport and the surprises they often encounter from their opponents’ sheer physicality. Shetty elaborated on the nuances of playing doubles, emphasizing that it’s not just about power. “The game involves a lot more, like defence, net play, and getting the lift right. Defence is a critical part of the game. Doubles isn’t just about power; it’s about precision and strategy,” he said.
Beyond the court partnership
Beyond the court, their partnership has grown through shared experiences and common interests. Shetty humorously recounted how Rankireddy influenced his music preferences, switching from Punjabi beats to South Indian tracks. “Before the Asian Games, Satwik introduced me to Anirudh Ravichander’s music,” Shetty shared. Rankireddy added that their playlist, featuring songs like ‘Hukum’ and ‘Chaleya’, helps set the mood, with the KGF background score serving as their entrance theme.
The journey to the top
The journey to becoming the world’s top-ranked pair was not without its challenges. Shetty candidly spoke about the early days of their partnership, which were marred by a language barrier. “I used to feel burdened, as if playing together was forced upon us. I spoke Hindi, and Satwik was more comfortable with Telugu. But our then-coach Kim Tan believed in our potential, which made us feel less pressured and more willing to partner each other,” Shetty recalled.
Rankireddy reflected on how their partnership evolved into a seamless collaboration. He described how they now communicate almost telepathically during matches, understanding each other’s moves and strategies instinctively.
Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s story is one of perseverance, mutual respect, and shared goals. As they continue to push boundaries and set new records, their journey serves as an inspiration to many young athletes in India and around the world. With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, all eyes will be on this dynamic duo as they strive to bring more glory to their country.