Going for Gold

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty-or Sat-Chi as they're better known-have had three successful years, winning badminton titles along the way, and breaking records and dry spells for the country. Now, they're heading into the 2024 Olympics with the enthusiasm, energy, and experience it takes to bring home the gold.

- ARUN JANARDHAN

CHIRAG TALKS OFF-COURT, I talk only on-court."

Followed by laughter.

This is the first time Satwiksairaj Rankireddy has spoken since the interview began. His silence might suggest that the 23-year-old, with a boyish smile and monstrous smashes, is shy. But the response comes quickly and spontaneously, proving the opposite is, in fact, true. The boy from Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, sometimes lets the older partner, Mumbai's Chirag Shetty, take the lead. One listens quietly while the other speaks, but on court, they're expressive. They're not really fire and ice, but more of a blazing flame versus a simmer. The Will Smith to the Martin Lawrence-if you are a Bad Boys fan. The shirt-ripper versus the dancer-actually, make that dancers.

The duo is also among the top doubles teams in men's badminton-recently ranked number one-winner of multiple titles, and one of India's hottest prospects for a medal at the Paris Olympics this year. Rankireddy and Shetty are in-your-face, fearless, explosive, and have given the genteel sport of badminton-made famous by the monk-like Prakash Padukone and the spiritual Pullela Gopichand-a bit of a shake-up.

The last two years have seen their ascension accelerated, from being steady performers internationally to world-beaters. There were three titles in 2022 and a Thomas Cup team triumph, the country's first in 70-plus years of the competition, catalysed by the duo's energetic performances. This was followed by three more titles last year, as well as a first-ever badminton gold medal in the Asian Games and the first medal for India after 58 years at the Badminton Asia Championships.