This statement follows India’s recent return from Denmark, where they secured a bronze medal—marking the country’s second podium finish in this tournament since their historic triumph in 2022.
In a social media message that quickly gained attention, Satwik stated, “Back home now. As usual, no one knows what happened over the past two weeks, and it seems like no one really cares.”
Chirag also shared the post later.
Continuing the discussion, the pair expressed their disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment for achievements in sports other than cricket, emphasizing that India cannot be regarded as a true sporting nation if international accolades remain overlooked.
“I rarely share anything. I usually let things be. But this time, I lost it. Someone needs to voice this. We don’t ask for grand gestures. Not even prize money. Just a simple acknowledgment like, ‘Bhaiyya, you played well,’ makes us happy,” Rankireddy remarked to The Indian Express.
He further noted, “We wore our Thomas Cup jerseys… and nobody even inquired about who we are or what we accomplished. Everyone seemed preoccupied with the IPL, politics, or other distractions. It was quite disheartening to see top athletes struggling to book cabs.”
The team’s journey concluded in the semi-finals with a 0-3 defeat against France, where the absence of the injured singles player Lakshya Sen was a significant blow. Nevertheless, the team secured a bronze medal, continuing India’s strong track record in international badminton competitions.
During the tournament, the Indian team achieved notable victories, including a commanding quarter-final win over Chinese Taipei, which ensured their medal placement.
