Indian men's doubles coach Tan Kim Her has expressed confidence that defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty possess the mental fortitude, preparation, and composure needed to withstand the intense pressure of the Asian Games badminton competition in Aichi-Nagoya. Speaking ahead of the men's doubles draw on 24 September 2026, the coach placed the psychological dimension of competition at the heart of the pair's title-defence strategy.

Mental Strength the Key Differentiator

'Of course, I did ask them to go through all the psychology, mental strength. I think Satwik-Chirag have everything needed, if they are strong psychologically and mentally, their game is very dangerous. So far, I see they have gone through all the psychology training. For me, once everything is in place, I just tell them this is the plan, what we should do after 11 points. If the opponent's game changes, then we show how we overcome it,' Tan said.

The coach underlined that the pair's danger to opponents is directly proportional to their psychological steadiness — a theme he has reportedly reinforced throughout their pre-Games preparation. He added that he consistently urges them to stay present: 'I always tell the players, take one game at a time. Even though I see their confidence is good, but we aren't overconfident, just take it one step at a time.'

China Masters Win Adds Momentum

Rankireddy and Shetty enter the Asian Games as defending continental champions and arrive on the back of a recent title win at the China Masters — a result Tan described as a significant morale booster. 'After Satwik-Chirag won the China Masters, this will give them more confidence, boost their motivation. I think so far, everything is good. Satwik's hand is also in good shape,' he noted.

The China Masters triumph is particularly meaningful given the quality of opposition typically assembled in China, and it signals the pair are peaking at an opportune moment ahead of a tournament that draws the continent's strongest doubles combinations.

Positive Environment a Coaching Priority

Beyond tactics and fitness, Tan has deliberately cultivated a positive atmosphere around the squad, believing that collective mindset shapes individual performance. 'The important part is every tournament where we go, we must always say good things. The place is good, the hotel is good, the hall is good, everything is good. So once you are happy and have positive thinking, everything should be good,' he stated.

This holistic approach reflects a growing trend in elite sport where psychological conditioning is treated as rigorously as physical preparation, particularly at multi-sport events like the Asian Games where downtime between matches can affect focus.

Doubles Department Still Has Room to Grow

Reflecting on the broader state of Indian doubles badminton, Tan offered a candid assessment. 'So far, I think the players are very independent and very dedicated. So far, we still need to boost up the doubles department,' he said, signalling that while Rankireddy and Shetty represent the pinnacle, depth-building remains a work in progress for Indian doubles as a whole.

With the men's doubles competition set to unfold over the coming days in Nagoya, all eyes will be on whether Rankireddy and Shetty can translate their coach's confidence into a successful title defence on the continent's biggest multi-sport stage.