Indian badminton is witnessing a strategic shift in its men’s doubles approach, inspired by the phenomenal success of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, with coaches now actively scouting and developing taller players.
A Vision for Tall Doubles
Years ago, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand identified a need for taller players in men’s doubles to compete effectively on the international stage. This vision, which began around 2018, is now bearing fruit, proving to be the right path for modern badminton.
The long-term plan is clearly working. A batch of players scouted from Gopichand’s Noida academy, now training at the National Centre in Guwahati, are set to represent India at the U19 Asian Junior Championship.
Introducing the New Wave
Among these promising talents is Bhavya Chhabra, a towering 6-foot-3 player from Ghaziabad. He has dedicated significant time to improving his agility, working on bends and squats crucial for net play, much like his idol Chirag Shetty.
Chhabra’s partner, Param Choudhary, also over 6 feet tall, has molded his game after Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, focusing on deceptive drops and low lifts that trick opponents.
Another notable talent is C Lalramsanga from Mizoram, chosen for mixed doubles, who is mastering front-court skills. Divyam Arora, standing at 6-foot-1.5, recently showcased an impressive 63 cm jump, demonstrating the athletic potential being developed.
The Coaching Philosophy
These young shuttlers were identified by Gopichand and his former associate Mohd Siyadatullah. They are now being coached by Russian doubles champion Ivan Sozonov, who brings a deep understanding of tall agility and the European style of play.
The coaching philosophy emphasizes versatility. While these tall players naturally possess powerful smashes, they are also meticulously trained in fast net drives and agile front-court movements, essential for today’s dynamic doubles game.
Learning from Satwik-Chirag
The success of Satwik and Chirag has served as a powerful blueprint. Chirag Shetty, despite being over 6 feet, developed a world-class net game through extensive work, guided by coaches like Mathias Boe. This involved mastering quick interceptions, precise returns, and the mental discipline to stay in attacking front-court positions.
This dedication to versatility, where even Satwik learned front-court skills, created a champion pair and showed that tall players could excel in all areas of the court. This adaptability is now being instilled in the next generation.
Challenges and Inspiration
Despite their height advantage, these players face unique challenges. Bhavya Chhabra acknowledges the need for intense agility training to counteract height disadvantages, enabling quick movement and precise strokes at the net.
Divyam Arora, who chose doubles because of Chirag Shetty, embraces bending as a challenge. He attributes his powerful jump to rigorous training, even after back surgery, and is learning creative front-court play from Sozonov.
Param Choudhary, inspired by the “Minions” (Kevin and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon), now looks to Satwik for a less body-straining, deceptive style. The goal for this new batch is to combine their natural power with flat, controlled play, ready to explode when the moment arises.
- Indian badminton is strategically developing tall players for men’s doubles.
- Satwik-Chirag’s success is the primary inspiration for this “tall revolution.”
- Young talents are being trained to be versatile, combining powerful smashes with agile net play.
- Coaching focuses on specialized agility drills to overcome height-related challenges in front-court roles.
This concentrated effort to blend natural athleticism with refined skill promises a bright future for Indian men’s doubles, building on the legacy of its current champions.
