1,253 days, as Srikanth Kidambi Enters Final
That’s how long it’s been since Kidambi Srikanth last featured in a BWF World Tour final. Today, the 32-year-old rolled back the years with a gritty win over Japan’s Yushi Tanaka to storm into the final of the Malaysia Masters 2025, marking not just a personal milestone but a powerful statement from Indian badminton.
In an era where young guns dominate headlines, Srikanth’s journey to the final — starting all the way from the qualifying rounds — is the stuff of legends. It wasn’t just about winning matches; it was about restoring belief.
The Road to the Final – Ranked 65, But Playing Like #1
Entering the tournament as the world No. 65, Srikanth had no main draw entry. He had to start from scratch:
Qualifying Round of 16
vs Kuo Lin (WR 86) – Won 21-8, 21-13
A confident start, Srikanth used his superior control and shot selection to dominate from the outset.
Qualifying Quarterfinals
vs Huang Kai (WR 64) – Won 9-21, 21-12, 21-6
After dropping the first game, he regrouped, showing glimpses of vintage form and unmatched resilience.
Round of 32 (Main Draw)
vs Lu Guang Zu (WR 13, Seed #6) – Won 23-21, 13-21, 21-11
The big one. Upsetting a top-15 player in the main draw opener, Srikanth proved he still has the game to trouble the elite.
Round of 16
vs Nhat Nguyen (WR 33) – Won 23-21, 21-17
A composed performance against the rising Irish-Vietnamese talent, with tight net play and clever variations.
Quarterfinals
vs Toma Junior Popov (WR 18) – Won 24-22, 17-21, 22-20
Perhaps the most dramatic of the lot. In a battle of nerves and endurance, Srikanth saved match points and pulled off a pulsating three-game thriller.
Semifinals
vs Yushi Tanaka (WR 23) – Won 21-18, 24-22
Srikanth started strong and despite trailing 3-9 in the second game, mounted a signature comeback — fueled by guile at the net and calm under pressure.
Resilience Over Rankings
Once world No. 1 and the face of Indian men’s singles, Srikanth’s decline post-2019 was steep. Injuries, inconsistency, and the emergence of younger stars had pushed him out of the top-50. But he kept grinding.
His path this week was not easy. Every opponent ranked above him, every win hard-earned. Yet with every round, he looked more assured, more determined. His net dominance, drop precision, and tactical variations have helped him mask the slight decline in physical speed with veteran mastery.
More Than a Final — A Statement
Srikanth becomes the first Indian men’s singles player to reach a BWF final in 2025, and the first since HS Prannoy’s Asian Championships silver in 2023 to make a deep run at a major event.
At a time when Indian men’s badminton is going through a rough patch — with no consistent performances from top names — Srikanth’s resurgence is timely and inspiring.
He now awaits either Kodai Naraoka (Japan) or Li Shi Feng (China) in the final — both physically robust and technically sound players. But if the past week has taught us anything, it’s this: never count Srikanth Kidambi out.
Final Word
This isn’t just a personal victory. It’s a reminder of Indian badminton’s depth, pride, and perseverance. As Srikanth roars into Sunday’s final, fans across the world will be watching — not just to see if he wins, but to celebrate the spirit of a champion who never stopped believing.
To the Final ROAR
Kidambi Srikanth is back — and how.
