Paris Olympics 2024: Satwik-Chirag duo's game cancelled after injury hits Group C

In an unexpected turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty's second Group C match was cancelled on Monday. The cancellation followed the withdrawal of their opponents, Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel, due to a knee injury sustained by Lamsfuss. This development has significantly altered the dynamics of Group C, reducing it to a three-pair competition.

Satwik and Chirag, who had been scheduled to face the German pair later in the day, found themselves without a match after the unfortunate injury. The withdrawal of Lamsfuss and Seidel not only affected the Indian duo's match but also led to the cancellation of another match involving the Germans against Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar, scheduled for July 30.

As per the Badminton World Federation's (BWF) regulations, the results of all matches involving the German pair have been nullified, effectively deleting their impact on the group standings. Despite the walkover, Satwik and Chirag will not be awarded points, a rule that maintains the competitive integrity of the tournament.

What will happen in Group C matches now?

The remaining fixtures in Group C have been rescheduled accordingly, with the Indian pair now set to face Indonesia's World No. 7 duo, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, in their final group match on Tuesday. The outcome of this crucial match will determine which pairs advance to the quarterfinals, as the top two teams from each group move forward in the competition.

Satwik and Chirag had begun their Olympic campaign on a high note, defeating France's Corvee and Labar 21-17, 21-14 on Saturday. This victory had placed them at the top of Group C, giving them a strong start in their quest for Olympic glory. However, the sudden changes in the group dynamics mean that they will need to stay focused and adaptable to ensure their progression to the next stage.

Meanwhile, in another group, Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen faces a similar predicament. His victory over Kevin Cordon was nullified due to Cordon's withdrawal from the tournament owing to a left elbow injury. This has left Group L reduced to a three-player competition. Lakshya must now secure victories against Julien Carraggi and Jonatan Christie to advance to the next round. Currently placed second in Group L, Lakshya’s path to the quarterfinals hinges on his performance in these remaining matches.