India’s leading men’s doubles duo, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have pulled out of the upcoming Badminton Asia Championship, dealing a significant blow to the country’s campaign in the prestigious tournament.

The development was confirmed on Monday by their coach Tan Kim Her, who stated that Rankireddy is still recovering from a shoulder injury. The World No. 4 pair had also withdrawn from their Swiss Open quarterfinal last month due to the same issue, raising concerns over their fitness ahead of a busy season.

Their absence leaves a noticeable gap in India’s men’s doubles lineup, where they have consistently been among the strongest medal contenders. Known for their aggressive style and on-court chemistry, the duo has been instrumental in elevating India’s presence in international badminton in recent years.

With Satwik and Chirag unavailable, the responsibility now shifts to Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun, who will be the only Indian representatives in the men’s doubles category at the event. The pair will be looking to make the most of the opportunity on a big stage, though expectations will be tempered given the absence of the country’s top-ranked duo.

India’s setbacks do not end there. The women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have also withdrawn from the tournament. However, no official reason has yet been provided for their decision, leaving uncertainty around their status.

The withdrawals come as a disappointment for Indian badminton fans, who were hoping for a strong showing across doubles categories. With two of the country’s most prominent pairs out of contention, the spotlight will now be on the remaining shuttlers to step up and deliver.

As the tournament approaches, the focus for Satwik and Chirag will remain on recovery, with the aim of returning to full fitness and regaining momentum in the international circuit.