Kidambi Srikanth has stormed into the Malaysia Masters 2025 final, marking his first BWF World Tour final in six years. His straight-game victory over Japan’s Yushi Tanaka (21-18, 24-22) in the semi-finals has reignited optimism for Indian badminton’s resurgence.
Srikanth’s Road to the Final
The 32-year-old former World No. 1, currently ranked 65, showcased sharp net play and attacking flair to outclass Tanaka. His journey to the final included wins over:
- Junior World Champion Kuo Kuan-lin
- China’s Lu Guang Zu
- Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen
- France’s Toma Junior Popov
This marks Srikanth’s first final appearance since his silver medal at the 2021 World Championships and his first BWF final since the 2019 India Open.
A Beacon of Hope for Indian Badminton
Indian badminton has faced a rough patch in recent months, but Srikanth’s resurgence signals a turnaround. HS Prannoy, a former Malaysia Masters champion, emphasized that Srikanth’s success boosts confidence across India’s badminton circuit.
“It’s always good to see somebody play a final in these bigger events because it gives confidence to the entire bench,” Prannoy stated.
Final Showdown Against Li Shi Feng
Srikanth will face China’s Li Shi Feng, the World No. 4, in the Malaysia Masters final on May 25, 2025. The match will be live-streamed on JioHotstar and telecast on Sports 18 TV.
