Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty Withdraw from Badminton Asia Championships; Sen and Sindhu to Lead India

India’s campaign at the Badminton Asia Championships has suffered a significant blow following the withdrawal of the nation’s premier doubles pairing. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will not compete in the tournament, a decision driven by a shoulder injury sustained by Rankireddy.

With the doubles powerhouse sidelined, the responsibility of spearheading India’s bid for success now falls on the shoulders of in-form Lakshya Sen and seasoned veteran P.V. Sindhu.

A Significant Void in the Doubles Category

The absence of Rankireddy and Shetty leaves a substantial gap in the Indian squad. The duo has established themselves as a dominant force in global badminton, becoming the only Indian doubles pair to ever reach the world number one ranking, a milestone they achieved on October 10, 2023.

As of February 10, 2026, the pair holds a current world ranking of number four. Their track record is one of the most decorated in Indian badminton history, including gold medals at the Asian Games, Asian Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. They also hold the distinction of being the first Indians to secure a gold medal in badminton at the Asian Games.

Beyond their tournament victories, the pair has broken barriers in the World Tour, becoming the first Indian doubles team to win a World Tour Super 1000 event. Their success has been underpinned by a blend of power and precision, most notably evidenced by Rankireddy’s raw strength. In 2023, Rankireddy set a Guinness World Record for the fastest hit in badminton, with a smash clocked at 565 km/h.

India’s New Vanguard: Sen and Sindhu

While the doubles sector faces a setback, India remains competitive through its singles contingent. Lakshya Sen and P.V. Sindhu are now the primary figures leading the charge for the national team.

The transition of leadership to the singles players highlights a shift in India’s immediate tactical focus for the championships. Sen, currently in strong form, and Sindhu, bringing years of elite international experience, will be the focal points of India’s pursuit of medals in the absence of the world-ranked doubles pair.

The Pedigree of the Sidelined Pair

To understand the impact of this withdrawal, one must look at the consistent excellence Rankireddy and Shetty have maintained since joining forces. Both players were honed at the Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad—Rankireddy joining in 2014 to specialize in doubles, and Shetty shifting there after initial training at the Uday Pawar Badminton Academy in Mumbai.

Their combined medal tally reflects a relentless climb to the top of the sport:

• World Championships: Double bronze medalists (Tokyo 2022 and Paris 2025).
• Thomas Cup: Part of the winning men’s team in Bangkok 2022.
• Commonwealth Games: Gold medals in both the men’s doubles (Birmingham 2022) and the mixed team events (Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022).
• Asian Games: Gold medals in both men’s doubles and the men’s team event at Hangzhou 2022.

For readers unfamiliar with the rankings, the “World Number 1” designation is not merely a statistic; it signifies that for a period, Rankireddy and Shetty were the mathematically and competitively superior pair on the planet, a feat previously unmatched by any other Indian doubles team.

Key Takeaways

• The Withdrawal: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are out of the Badminton Asia Championships.
• The Cause: A shoulder injury affecting Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.
• Current Status: The pair is currently ranked world number four as of February 2026.
• India’s Hope: Lakshya Sen and P.V. Sindhu are now the lead representatives for India.
• Historical Context: The duo remains the only Indian pair to have hit world number one and won a Super 1000 title.

The focus now shifts to the recovery of Rankireddy and the performance of Sen and Sindhu as they attempt to keep India’s momentum alive in the Asian circuit. Official updates regarding Rankireddy’s recovery timeline are expected to follow from the medical team.

What are your thoughts on India’s prospects at the Asian Championships without their top doubles pair? Share your analysis in the comments below.