Indian badminton is on the brink of witnessing a historic moment as the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has been nominated for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honor in India. This nomination places them on the cusp of becoming the first doubles pair in badminton to claim this esteemed recognition.
Typically, nominations for the Khel Ratna can be initiated either by players themselves or the National Federation governing the sport. In this case, the Badminton Association of India has confirmed that the decision was made by Rankireddy and Shetty, signifying their confidence in their outstanding performances.
Throughout the year, the duo has showcased remarkable prowess, participating in six finals and securing victory in five of them. Notably, they achieved a historic triumph at the Indonesia Open, becoming the first Indian men’s doubles pair to clinch a Super 1000 tournament by defeating Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. This victory set the tone for their exceptional run at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where they secured individual gold, a groundbreaking achievement for India, and contributed to the team’s runner-up finish.
In October 2023, Rankireddy and Shetty ascended to the top spot in the BWF World Rankings, etching their names in history as the first Indian doubles pair to achieve this remarkable feat. Their journey also includes a bronze at the BWF World Championships and vital contributions to India’s inaugural Thomas Cup victory over the past four years.
The nomination for the Khel Ratna is a testament to their consistent excellence and significant contributions to Indian badminton. If bestowed with the award, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will etch their names alongside legendary badminton figures like Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, and PV Sindhu, marking a paradigm shift and recognition of the prowess of doubles play in the country.
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