Chirag-perseverance Satwik’s comes off.
Chirag-perseverance Satwiks comes off. The men’s doubles team pushes outside their comfort zone to beat the Indonesians and win the India Open.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, surrounded by India’s singles results at all times; guaranteed they asserted their class on the India Open, defeating three-time World Champions Hendra Setiawan and Mohamad Ahsan; dubbed “the Daddies,” 21-16, 26-24 in the final. Forever under the shadow of Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen – first the champion women; and now the Worlds men’s singles medalists – India’s pioneering combination also showed hints; of a game that might propel them into the Top 5, higher than their present Top-10 perch.
Men’s doubles is all on unearthly quick exchanges and reaction times; as well as absorbing amazing offensive onslaughts at record-breaking speeds. The Indian duo has so far survived by maximizing their strikes and taking down opponents mentally. Satwik-Chirag soaked up barrages in front of an empty stadium and a dozen onlookers on Sunday; “playing like Top 5” couples in defense.
The match was supposed to be contained at the net. But the Indonesian Daddies, perhaps the smartest pairing on the circuit; at 37 and several world medals later, were always going to be a handful. Though their smashes lack the sting, the Indonesians tested the Indian duo’s patience; and defence – a sort of incessant consistency is demanded in these situations.
Satwik even embraced and committed to the idea of protracted rallies, despite his preference for fast exchanges.
Chirag-perseverance Satwiks comes off.
In the first game, the scores were 7-7 and 13-13.
Chirag was particularly sharp on the day, and despite a slew of errors from Satwik; he was always in position for the crucial kills, even as Ahsan refused to budge in defense despite the onslaught.
The Indians would break away at 18-13 and pick the opener with Chirag controlling the backcourt; and maintaining pinpoint in the deluge of first, second, and third smashes.
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Things became intriguing in the second quarter when the Indians couldn’t finish on a canter from a 17-14 deficit. The Daddies would become defiant and begin to put the younger Indians to the test. Before then, there was a notable moment at 9-10; when Satwik dashed off the court to change his racquet; and the Indians won the point to tie the game at a key position.
“Satwik snapped his strings with two strokes. Chirag explained, “I knew we had to get the racquet changed; because it won’t finish in a smash.” Satwik dropped it after the third one and moved to the net. “I knew I had to keep hitting.”
Satwik was caught in the middle of a mad scramble. “I felt as though I was thousands of miles away from the court… There was no sign of the racquet. Kidhar hai, kidhar hai, I was thinking about that (where is it). However, one of the best rallies, in my opinion. “I realized he (Chirag) seemed to cover me,” he’d add. Satwik would undoubtedly crush soak, and Chirag would be at the net for the ensuing downer.
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Chirag had been quick while angling back defensive returns, but at 20-20, the Daddies would increase their obstinacy. Then, as Hendra again hit into the net and both sets stumbled on serve at 24-24; tensions gathered around all four on the court. Hendra eventually put one in the net to give the Indians the championship.
Chirag-perseverance Satwiks comes off. Approaching the apex
India’s breakthrough duo, who defeated the eventual Olympic champions in Tokyo; but couldn’t get out of their group, had had a miserable time. The Worlds then suffered yet another humiliating defeat. “I grieved for half an hour after losing at the world championship,” the muscular, big-booming Satwik would recount. “I wanted us to win as many podium finishes as possible in 2022.”
The changing gameplan is a step ahead in advancing to the Top 5; when you are doomed without a dependable defense. As a result, Chirag would mention being prepared for flat serves in the finish; and maintaining their composure even when losing by 4-5 points. Most importantly; they’d need bravery to hoist the shuttle knowing full well that it would always result in an approaching smash.
“Normally, we maintain the shuttle at a low altitude… “In defence, we were raising and were ready to switch to attacking situations,” Chirag explained.
In the initial wave of the pandemic, Satwik tested positive; while Chirag tested positive till five days before the India Open, but then returned two negative tests. For the two, the virus was a never-ending nightmare.
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“I can’t advise ‘concentrate exclusively on practice sessions,’ since training without a tournament or a goal is difficult. But we started pushing ourselves in training sessions, having fun in a relaxed atmosphere, and learning to let go. When it comes to being calm in the face of uncontrollable during a title drought; Chirag advises not to overthink things.
“I was ready, I wanted to do well in finals; and we had a strategy in place.” It’s not a big deal if we make mistakes. Satwik, who was pouring pressure on their opponents, added, “Kept calm when down.”
Though overcoming their idols at home and summoning Plan B; will remain noteworthy, not enough credit goes to the duo who have earned top podiums in competitive arenas. “Previously, we focused on what we were strong at. “We won on defense,” Chirag explained.