BWF World Tour Finals: Satwik-Chirag at their crafty best in second successive win

Each time coach Tan Kim Her pointed his index finger to the head, the Malaysian mastermind was urging the Indians to stick to tactics and play the brain battle against the season’s craftiest shuttlers. The Indians duo took turns in logging their share of errors – in Game 1 (Satwik, marginally mishitting) and Set 2 (Chirag, with nervous mistakes) – but Tan will be well pleased with how his charges implemented the bulk of his plans.

Satwik-Chirag raced to a 11-3 lead in the opener, weaving a compact web of criss-crossing angles. They played a flat, high game, targeting the Indonesian ribcages or faces – almost as if they were shooters aiming at inner-10 groupings.

It was instructive that the first two points of the match came from slow lifeless lifts sent to the exact spot on the back corner, forcing an Indonesian scramble. It helped disperse the Indonesians to different corners of the court, while they prefer playing standing shoulder to shoulder, intercepting shots early, relying on the reflexive pace. Sending the shuttle back was dispatching Alfian to the back court, and putting Fikri under pressure. The latter served nervously into the net twice.

Satwik-Chirag are leading the way at the end of two rounds of matches, having won both their matches so far, albeit in three games. (BWF Photo)

The reason why the Alfian-Fikri pair have made five finals from just eight tournaments together is their unbelievable front-court play that relies on a fast side-by-side defence. They lure top pairs into a whirl of fast flat forecourt drives and ambush them. But very early in the piece, Satwik-Chirag forced them to split at the net, halving the anticipated attacks.

From 11-3, the Indonesians, who saw the tables turn on them when Satwik-Chirag opted for the short snappy 3-4 shot exchanges, prolonged rallies to buy themselves options and reached 9-13. But Chirag’s high blocks, higher smashes and net interceptions to the wide lines, ensured the Indians took the first game on a canter.

Memorable point

In the second, they were on what looked like the treacherous side to be playing from, and it didn’t help that the Indians fell 3-8 behind. However a standout moment – literally – was when Satwik leapt with lightning speed to smother a flick serve. It was height, speed, power, Hulkish anger, Ironman’s swag all rolled into one – telling the Indonesians to not get too cute. It was also the start of Satwik taking control of proceedings, bringing his calculating brain to the table.

Chirag – trying too hard by now, or simply getting trapped in that fast drive lure of Fijri-Fajar – was falling for pace. Satwik, alert to what landmines were being laid, was slowing the speed, playing soft strokes, denying the Indonesians their crucible of chaos. But there were too many points to make up, and the Indians were dragged into a decider.

Satwik, however, was on a roll now, and Chirag soon regained his confidence. Playing their cross-drives, though with a twist – imparting them slight slope and gentle gradient – the Indians kept Fikri at the net, as instructed by Tan, and Fajar guessing where he should be headed.

This time, Satwik-Chirag took an 11-4 lead from the favourable side, and went on to prove sides barely mattered, racing to claim the third game 21-11. Satwik, having settled into his groove, and Chirag, a boss of the cross-scythe, made the Indonesians question the very basis of their game-style – when separated at the front court, they lose plenty of sting.

Chirag (left) & Satwik (right) in action at the BWF World Tour Finals 2025, Match 2 (BWF/Badminton Photo)

It’s not like they lack attacking prowess – both can jump and send down steep smashes – but the Indians are no mugs in defence, so as soon as Satwik neutralised the lifts, the Indonesians lost rhythm.

Fikri-Fajar love staying put and pulling snappy yo-yo strings like a pair of puppeteers. Satwik-Chirag showed them their kite-flyer’s dexterity to snipe at those very strings.

It’s old foes Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik next, and everything to play for, on Friday. At the World Championships, the Indians proved they have a plan against the Malaysians. But Chia remains the wiliest fox they’ll ever encounter. A semifinal spot in a tournament they haven’t won is within reach; it’s when Chia loves playing his tricks most.