China Open 2026: India's Satwik-Chirag pull out due to injury
(Courtesy :Â Getty Images)
Men’s doubles pair Satwik-Chirag had reached semi-finals here last season
India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have pulled out of the Victor China Open 2026 Super 1000 as Satwik continues his recovery from a recurring shoulder injury that has plagued him throughout the season.
The withdrawal comes just days after the pair retired from their opening-round match at the 2026 Japan Open, where they lost the first game 19-21 to Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard before Satwik’s shoulder issue forced them to stop.
It marked the second consecutive Super 1000 event the fourth-seeded duo have been forced out of, having also withdrawn from the Indonesia Open last month due to the same injury.
India’s chief doubles coach Tan Kim Her confirmed that Satwik and Chirag would skip the China Open to focus entirely on regaining full fitness ahead of the BWF World Championships, scheduled to be held in Delhi in August.
With the tournament being a home event of massive significance, the coaching staff appears determined not to rush Satwik’s recovery.
The shoulder problem has been a persistent concern for the world number four pair this season, having earlier forced their withdrawal from the Badminton Asia Championships as well.
Despite the recurring setbacks, Satwik and Chirag ended a two-year title drought earlier this year by winning the Singapore Open, defeating Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Fikri in a hard-fought comeback victory. They followed that up with a strong showing at the Japan Open before the injury resurfaced.
With Satwik and Chirag missing from the draw, India’s hopes in men’s doubles at the China Open now rest solely on the pairing of MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan.
The broader Indian contingent remains strong despite the doubles setback. PV Sindhu, fresh off a commanding title-winning run at the Japan Open, will lead India’s campaign as the two-time Olympic medallist looks to continue her impressive late-season form.
She will be joined by Lakshya Sen, who is looking to rediscover consistency after a mixed season, along with Ayush Shetty and HS Prannoy in men’s singles.
For Satwik and Chirag, the priority now shifts entirely toward recovery. With roughly four weeks remaining before the World Championships begin, the coaching staff believes there is sufficient time to get the pair back to full fitness for what promises to be one of the most important tournaments of their careers on home soil.
Why have Satwik-Chirag withdrawn from BWF China Open 2026?
The Indian men’s doubles pair has pulled out of the BWF Super 1000 event due to injury to Satwiksairaj’s shoulder.
When will Satwik-Chirag return to badminton action?
The pair are now likely to return to action in August. Satwik-Chirag are scheduled to participate at the upcoming BWF World Championships next month on home soil.
Who will represent India at the BWF China Open 2026?
With Satwik-Chirag’s withdrawal, focus will now turn to PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy among others.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Ansh is a sports content creator and aspiring data scientist with a focus on Olympic sports like badminton and chess. A state-level badminton player and 1900+ rated chess enthusiast, his content has been reshared by top athletes including HS Prannoy and Vidit Gujrathi. Follow Ansh for the latest updates on your favorite sports!