Badminton World Tour Finals: Tracking the Yearly Closing for India in Hangzhou

If you look at the sporting calendar like a financial year, the badminton world tour finals is the final closing bell. Only the top eight performers in each category get to participate in this event. It is a high-stakes environment where every match is like a blue-chip trade—one wrong move and you are out of the race. Currently, for India, the entire focus is on a single asset: the men’s doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

The bwf world tour finals are taking place in Hangzhou, China, from December 17 to December 21, 2025. This year, Satwik and Chirag are the only Indians who managed to qualify. Being the sole representatives puts a lot of weight on their shoulders, but their performance so far suggests a steady growth in their form.

The Opening Match: A High-Volatility Start

On Wednesday, December 17, the Indian pair faced a very tough opening contest. They were matched against the local favorites from China, Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. For those who follow the sport closely, these two are the silver medallists from the Paris Olympics. The match started with a lot of pressure on the Indians, as they lost the first game 12-21. It looked like the “market sentiment” was against them.

However, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy (25) and Chirag Shetty (28) showed great mental balance. They took the second game 22-20 after a very close finish and then pulled through in the final game with a 21-14 score. This was a crucial win because it set a positive tone for their Group B journey.

Consolidating the Position on Day 2

Moving to Thursday, December 18, the Indians faced Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri from Indonesia. In terms of head-to-head records, this was a tricky matchup. But the Indian pair started with a lot of focus, taking the first game easily at 21-11. Though they dropped the second game 16-21, they bounced back in the third set to win 21-11.

This second win in the bwf world tour finals has placed them at the top of Group B. With two wins from two games, they are now in a commanding position to qualify for the semi-finals. Their ability to handle three-game thrillers shows that they have worked well on their fitness and endurance throughout the 2025 season.

Understanding the Event Dynamics

The structure of this event is different from regular tournaments. Players are divided into groups of four. You play everyone in your group once, and the top two move to the knockout stage. For Satwik and Chirag, the next “closing” match is against the Malaysian pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik on Friday, December 19. This will be a match to decide who finishes at the absolute top of the group.

For fans tracking this live, the matches are being aired on Sports 18 and streamed via the JioHotstar app. The prize pool for this year’s season finale is a massive 3 million dollars, making it one of the most rewarding events in the badminton world.

Expert View: Why This Matters for 2026

Ending the year on a high note in Hangzhou will give the Indian pair a lot of confidence heading into the 2026 season. They have already reached world number 3 this year and have won a bronze at the World Championships. Winning the badminton world tour finals would make them only the second Indian after PV Sindhu (who won in 2018) to take home this title. It is a rare feat that requires consistent performance over five days against the best in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Match timings and results are based on live events and may change according to official BWF announcements. Readers should check official broadcast schedules for exact match times.