‘Ice and fire’ was how Sattwiksairaj Rankireddy described his doubles partnership with friend Chirag Shetty as he embraced him. Satwik is the Iceman to Chirag’s Maverick.
After they beat Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik — often their kryptonite — 21-17, 21-12 in the Asian Games men’s doubles semifinal, Chirag took flight to jump into the arms of Satwiksairaj and soaked in the applause here at the Binjiang Gymnasium on October 6.
Satwik and Chirag are now the first Indian doubles team to become the world no. 1. Before their official coronation next week, they will have the opportunity to add the Asian Games gold to their burgeoning trophy collection on Saturday in the final.
