Defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are eliminated in the Asian Games men’s doubles badminton first round after a loss to Thailand. Both outlets report that the Indian fourth-seeded pair started strongly, taking the first game 21-12, but they fail to sustain their advantage as the match shifts in the Thai duo’s favor.
The Times of India and Free Press Journal agree on the core match progression: Satwik–Chirag drop the second game 19-21, and Thailand wins the decisive third game 21-14. Free Press Journal adds further context that the Thai opponents are Peeratchai Sukhphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul, and it provides the full set scoreline as 21-12, 19-21, 14-21.
Both sources also place the result within the larger tournament context. Free Press Journal notes the Indians enter the Asian Games with momentum from winning the China Masters and that this defeat follows earlier success for the pair in India’s bronze-medal campaign in the men’s team event. With the men’s doubles campaign ended for Satwik and Chirag, they do not get the chance to defend their previous gold.
