Mathias Boe says doubles standards in India haven't grown much since his departure

Satwik-Chirag have been struggling since Boe's reign ended, and the indications of struggle have been visible, with Satwik-Chirag failing to finish out critical matches. With Boe back in charge ahead of the Thomas Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, it appears that a solution will be found as soon as possible - not just for Satwik-Chirag, but for the entire Indian doubles team.

"They (Satwik-Chirag) were struggling to find a coach and since I am here in India anyway, I felt obligated to extend my help to them," Boe stated.

"I'm very familiar with the Indian badminton scene as I have been coming here both as a player, first and now as a coach, for a while. I have even trained at Hyderabad during the Premier Badminton League (PBL) and I have also played against Satwik-Chirag, back in the day. It only seemed right to step back in," Boe said.

Satwik-Chirag may have won the India Open in January and been quite steady without a doubles coach to advise them for the past three months, but that isn't to imply there aren't any red flags. On the contrary, Boe feels, "Truth be told, the level hasn't really improved. In fact, it has only decreased I feel. Not just for Indian doubles but overall as well," he said, being as frank as ever.

"Just last year during Indonesia, so many players were retiring in the middle of the tournament because the grind was too hectic. Apart from Viktor Axelsen, nobody really maintained their level, it was a rather mediocre showing," Boe stressed. Returning to Satwik-Chirag, his most important students, there is still much work to be done.

"It's okay to have streaks of bad luck,"Boe said, recalling the Tokyo heartbreak, in which the duo, despite a valiant performance, we’re unable to advance to the knock-out stages due to pure bad luck. "It left us gutted, especially when you have worked so hard for something, but then again it's about learning from it." 

On paper, it appears that Satwik-Achilles Chirag's heel is the World No. 1 pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, versus whom they have an 11-0 head-to-head record. With a slight grin, Boe said, "I think they (Satwik-Chirag) have too much respect for The Minions".

"They have grown up idolizing them, looking up to them, perhaps that's why the nerves hit. It becomes more of a mind game than just a physical game when you are up against The Minions," Boe revealed.

"It's just that they lose a bit of bravery during the crucial points, but they will have to get tactically smarter, play closer games," the Danish coach relayed. 

"However, it's an issue we have identified, and we are aware of it, we'll be working on it this year," Boe assured.

"I can easily point out 8-9 pairs who have great potential in doubles, but I can't pinpoint a particular one to stand out. Most of them have done their bit and reached 80% of the way, it is the remaining 20% that is the most difficult to conquer," he reasoned. 

"Ultimately, it'll all come down to who is learning, adapting and executing the fastest now. A lot of them play well physically but it'll be up to how mentally strong they can be." 

"In the women's doubles half of things, the pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly are working surprising well and they were exceptional at the All England Open," Boe analysed. 

"It's wonderful to see these young players actually, they put their heart and soul into every match. At the trials also, they beat the veteran pair of Ashwini-Sikki, so they definitely have it in them to fill the shoes of the two legends and also bite them in the heels," Boe pointed out.