Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Chirag Shetty takes smash load as Satwik's shoulder injury persists
Two Indian friends, Chirag and Satwik, play badminton doubles together.
Satwik has a very powerful smash, but his shoulder is hurt.
His shoulder has had problems since 2018 and will need surgery one day.
Satwik used to do most of the hard smashing for their pair.
Now Chirag has to take over much of the heavy attacking.
Chirag's old coach says it is Chirag's turn to help, just like Satwik helped him before.
The good news is that Chirag has a great smash too.
Scientists at Yonex measured his smash as the second hardest in the world.
Satwik once hit a smash at 565 kilometres per hour, the hardest ever recorded.
The pair will try their new plan at the World Championships in Delhi.
Chirag Shetty is taking on the bulk of the attacking and smash responsibility ahead of the Delhi Worlds because Satwik's shoulder is injured.
Satwik's shoulder has been dicey since a 2018 tear and will eventually need surgery, though he has played through the pain.
Satwik hit the hardest smash ever recorded at 565 kph in Yonex lab testing, with a 500 kph in-match best.
Chirag's childhood coach Uday Pawar said Satwik carried the pair when Chirag's game wasn't working, so now it is Chirag's turn.
MR Arjun, India's No. 2 men's doubles player and Chirag's first partner, said Chirag's smash has excellent depth and angles.
- Who
- Indian men's doubles badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, with comments from coach Uday Pawar and former partner MR Arjun.
- What
- Chirag Shetty is preparing to take on the bulk of the pair's attacking and smash responsibility because Satwik's long-standing shoulder injury limits his play.
- When
- Ahead of the World Championships in Delhi; Satwik's shoulder has been problematic since a 2018 tear.
- Where
- India (Delhi for the upcoming Worlds, where the pair also won the Singapore Open).
- Why
- Because Satwik's shoulder has been worn down by years of an attacking, non-negotiable game since a 2018 tear and will eventually need surgery.
- Athletes
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (India men's doubles)
- Sport
- Badminton
- Key issue
- Satwik's shoulder, injured since a 2018 tear, is playing through pain and will eventually need surgery
- Hardest smash ever recorded
- 565 kph by Satwik in Yonex lab testing
- Satwik's in-match best smash
- 500 kph
- Chirag's smash ranking
- Second-hardest in the world
- Titles and medals
- Two World Championship and Thomas Cup medals across 2022 and 2025-26
- Upcoming event
- World Championships in Delhi (home Worlds)