(Left to right): Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy made a quarterfinal exit from the BWF World Championships 2026. Photo: BAI India's top men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty suffered a crushing straight-game defeat to third seeded Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in the quarterfinals of the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Friday (August 21). Despite leading for much of the first game, the Indians failed to capitalise on their momentum. Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang levelled the game at 15-15 and then 18-18 before winning three points in a row to steal it. Chirag's back-to-back errors - one into the net and another wide - handed the Chinese pair the game. The second game offered little respite. Liang and Wang did not allow the Indians, the fifth seed, any opportunity to mount a comeback, winning 21-9 to wrap up the contest in 36 minutes handing the Indians their third-straight defeat. After the loss, Chirag said the Chinese pair had outwitted them by turning defence into attack and finding ways to win points even from difficult situations. "First game was quite good. We were even leading at 18-18. I think the game plan we set up was working really well. But after we lost the first game, they came back a lot harder in the second," Chirag told the media after their loss. "We played decently - I wouldn't say we played bad - but on a lot of points where we felt we should have won the point, we couldn't because they played a very solid game, especially in defense. Points where we thought we could finish the rally just weren't ending. Not only were they retrieving well, but they were also converting those defenses into offense very effectively. So yeah, it feels a bit disappointing, but that's just how sports go," he added. Liang and Wang - chasing their maiden Worlds title after winning bronze in 2022 - also changed the rhythm of the contest, taking the sting out of India's attack with a slower game and using flick and spin serves to disrupt Satwik and Chirag. “They like to play the faster game. They were quite good in the first four shots. Whoever controlled those first four shots, in the first game, was in control. We were controlling them in the first game, and they got confident after one or two points. So, if it’s a rally game, it’s anybody’s game,” Satwik said in response to a question from Sports Now. “It’s 50-50 because both have the attack. If the Chinese can attack, we can attack as well. But the difference was only the service and service return. They got that spin, so we got a little bit confident towards the end,” Satwik added, analysing the match. Towards the end of the first game, the Chinese tactically slowed the pace, a contrast to the intense and fast exchanges at the start. The change unsettled the Indians, who began to falter on their serves and at the net - their perennial problem areas against Liang and Wang - and gradually lost momentum. The Chinese, meanwhile, used their spin serves to win crucial points. “We started spinning differently rather than the first one. So, for the first 15 points, we were spinning in a different way. Then later, he changed his service action. It took us one or two points to adjust to it. So, after 15, one or two points, it’s 17-15, 18-15. So, it’s just brave from that side. They committed, they played those strokes. And I think it’s always the first game with them, especially with them, it’s very important. The first game is really important,” Satwik added. Satwik also spoke about their helplessness in dealing with Liang and Wang's change of strategy. The Indians had come prepared for one approach, only for the Chinese pair to produce another - constantly pushing forward and forcing errors. "Maybe we weren't expecting it because their usual strategy is to block and force a lift. When we analyzed their match videos, they usually try to block, move forward, and draw lifts because they have a strong attack. But today, they played an all-round game—just pushing continuously," said Satwik. "Their player, Liang, was playing very aggressively whenever he got the chance. It was also difficult to lift from our side of the court because we were playing against the drift. It was hard to control, but that's how they played," he added.