At 14-19 in the second game, when Satwiksairaj Rankireddy’s flick shot hit the net, there was clear relief on the faces of Kang Min-hyuk and Seo Seung-jae. They were 20-14 up and one point away from levelling the contest. At six game points down, most pairs would give up on the game and focus on the decider. It was a near-impossible situation and while miracles do happen in sport, they are generally rare. With Satwik and Chirag Shetty, however, they are turning out to be routine. Six straight game points saved and, clearly, the Korean world champions were starting to feel the nerves.
The Indians were taking control and the fans seemed to be cheering them on. In no time, it was 21-20 and they were within reach of the final having staged an extraordinary comeback. At match point, and with a place in the Malaysia Open final on the line, they weren’t willing to relent. Chirag finished it with a killer smash and, immediately, the celebrations started. Coach Mathias Boe had joined in, and the year couldn’t have started on a better note for the brothers of destruction.
Yes, they are up against familiar opponents, Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, in the final. The head-to-head is 1-3 against Satwik and Chirag. And yet, it is perhaps fair to suggest that they will go in all-square in the championship decider. Oozing confidence, they know that if they play to potential, there are few that can challenge them, the Chinese included. While Liang and Wang had their measure in 2023, it could well be the reverse in 2024.
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
“I know that if I am not doing too well, Shetty bhai is there at the back court and will take control,” said Satwik to RevSportz a week ago. “I am in safe hands, and that’s the best part of the partnership.” It is this belief in each other’s ability that has set them apart. “We have learnt to play the big points and that’s what is different about us now,” said Chirag. “We don’t try anything new when playing these points and just do what works for us. More often than not, we get them.”
No surprise then that the first Super 1000 final of the year is between two of the world’s best teams at the moment. Liang and Wang aren’t pushovers either. Against Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto, they weren’t in the match in the first game. And it was all even till halfway into the second. That’s when they raised their game a few notches and managed to take control. And that’s what the Indians will need to guard against in the final. Against Liang and Wang, it is never over till it actually is, and it can be conjectured that the match will be a long and tough one. The pair that stays focussed in the key moments and manages to seize the little openings could win.
I, for one, will put my money on Satwik and Chirag. As mentioned earlier, there are very few pairs in the world who can stand up to them when they are at their best. The Indonesians and the Koreans have already been at the receiving end this tournament. With Chirag and Satwik, they are desperate to win. They had a poor record against Chia and Soh and were determined to get past the mental block. They soon did. They will know that Liang and Wang are becoming similar foes, and could become a mental obstacle going forward. That’s what will prompt them to be that extra bit hungry if that’s at all possible. With form and fitness going well for them, they could impose themselves on the final. Defensively, they are now a much better unit as was evident against the Koreans. And most importantly, they bond like never before.
The Malaysian Open final could well be the start of many matches between these two pairs this year, which includes the most important Paris 2024 Olympics. It is this one Chinese pair that could well stand between India and an Olympic gold in Paris. Maybe that’s why the final is more important. To test themselves against the best, and give themselves the confidence that they can beat Liang and Wang on any given day. There could well be two finals played on Sunday. One against Liang and Wang, and one against themselves. If Satwik and Chirag win the second one, they would also have won the first. And it would be foolish to bet against them doing so.
Also Read: India women waste penalty corner chances, lose to USA in Olympic Hockey Qualifier