Satwik-Chirag upstage reigning world champions to reach Malaysia Open final

Just before leaving for Kuala Lumpur to participate in the Malaysia Open, Chirag Shetty was a little downcast. “Sadly, we won’t be able to collect our awards. Even if a ceremony is organised later, it is unlikely that we will get the awards from the president,” lamented the top doubles shuttler.

- Sandip Sikdar

Shetty was referring to the National Sports Awards conferred on Tuesday where he and doubles partner Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were due to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna – the country’s highest sports award – but had to skip the function to participate in the $1.3 million tournament in Kuala Lumpur.

Shetty and Rankireddy though have made that decision count by reaching the final of the year’s first tournament, that too in spectacular fashion.