Illness Forces Satwik-Chirag Out of Sudirman Cup

India’s aspirations at the upcoming Sudirman Cup Finals 2025 have taken a major hit with the withdrawal of star men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty due to illness. The news was confirmed by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) via an official statement on Monday, just days ahead of the prestigious mixed team event set to begin in Xiamen, China, on April 27.

The world-class duo, integral to India’s team structure, will not be replaced in the 14-member squad. Their absence significantly weakens India’s chances in Group D, where they are slated to face badminton heavyweights Indonesia, two-time runners-up Denmark, and a resurgent England side.

“Men’s Doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty have withdrawn from the BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2025 due to illness. No replacements will be added to the squad,” BAI Media posted on their official X handle.

Satwik and Chirag had shown consistent form this season, reaching the semifinals of both the India Open and the Malaysia Open, and the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Championships. Their experience and chemistry were expected to be vital in India’s knockout ambitions.

In their absence, India is likely to rely on less-experienced pairs such as Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar R, alongside the potential pairing of Dhruv Kapila with Sathish Kumar Karunakaran. While these shuffles offer an opportunity for young talent, they present a steep challenge against the world’s best.

Despite the setback, the Indian camp remains upbeat. PV Sindhu, fresh from competitive match time at the Asia Championships, leads the women’s singles charge alongside rising star Anupama Upadhyaya. Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy, both seasoned in high-pressure team events, will helm the men’s singles duties.

In the doubles category, mixed pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, who impressed by reaching the Asia Championships quarterfinals, will shoulder expectations. Meanwhile, Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra step in for the injured Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly as India’s women’s doubles pairing.

India qualified for the Sudirman Cup Finals based on their world ranking and will now aim to regroup swiftly as they eye a knockout berth from one of the tournament’s toughest groups.

The Sudirman Cup Finals 2025 will be held from April 27 to May 4 in Xiamen, promising high-stakes action where team depth and adaptability could prove decisive.