Indian badminton continues to produce fresh success stories on the international stage, and the latest chapter belongs to 20-year-old Devika Sihag, who lifted the PETRONAS Malaysia International Challenge 2025 women’s singles crown in Kuala Lumpur.
It was not just her first title of the year but also a defining performance that underlined her growing stature in India’s women’s singles ecosystem. Sihag, currently ranked world no.100, displayed maturity well beyond her age through the tournament, navigating a tough draw that included higher-ranked players and established names. In the final, she overcame compatriot Isharani Baruah (WR 75) 15-7, 15-12 in 38 minutes, sealing her biggest career triumph to date.
The triumph was particularly significant because of the quality of opponents Sihag defeated en-route to the title. In the round of 16, she made quick work of home shuttler Lee Mun of Malaysia, winning 15-11, 15-11 in just 22 minutes. That match allowed her to settle into rhythm, but it was in the quarterfinal that she truly made heads turn.
Facing the tournament’s top seed and world no.36, Manami Suizu of Japan, Sihag produced a composed performance, winning 15-10, 15-11 in 30 minutes. For a young player ranked outside the top 90, this was a statement win against a proven international name. “Good competition here, so a good result,” Sihag said afterwards, acknowledging the challenge but also her belief in her ability to rise to the occasion.
Her semifinal clash with fellow Indian Tasnim Mir (WR 71) was another test of her resilience. In a closely fought battle, Sihag edged through 11-15, 15-9, 16-14 in 44 minutes, showcasing her ability to fight back under pressure. That win not only earned her a spot in the final but also gave her the confidence to take on yet another compatriot in the title match.
The All-Indian Final
The final against Isharani Baruah was significant for more reasons than one. It was the first meeting between the two in a senior international final, and Sihag had never beaten Baruah before. The opening game saw Sihag assert herself early, using her steep smashes and tight net play to keep Baruah pinned behind the baseline. She wrapped up the game 15-7, capitalising on unforced errors from her opponent.
The second game, however, was a battle of nerves. Baruah began to find her rhythm and led briefly, but Sihag’s patience and ability to construct rallies turned the tide. At 11-12 down, she reeled off four straight points to close out the contest 15-12, lifting her maiden International Challenge title.
While International Challenge tournaments sit a step below the BWF World Tour, they are critical stepping stones for emerging players. Victories at this level not only bring valuable ranking points but also test shuttlers against higher-ranked international opponents. For Sihag, the win in Malaysia is expected to propel her closer to the world’s top 80, opening the door to main-draw entries in bigger tournaments later this season.
More importantly, the result highlights the growing depth in Indian women’s singles. For years, India’s fortunes rested primarily on stars like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu. Now, a younger crop featuring Tasnim Mir, Unnati Hooda, Isharani Baruah, and Devika Sihag is beginning to push through, creating healthy competition within the national setup. Sihag’s ability to beat three of them—including Tasnim and Isharani—within the same event underlines her readiness to stake her claim among the next generation.
A Glimpse of the Future
Born in 2005, Devika Sihag has been gradually climbing the ladder over the past two seasons. While she has had encouraging performances at junior level, consistency at senior international tournaments remained the missing link. The Malaysia International Challenge victory could mark the turning point.
Her composure against higher-ranked opponents, particularly against the Japanese top seed Suizu, showed that she possesses the tactical clarity and mental resilience to thrive beyond the lower tiers of international competition. Coaches close to her development have often highlighted her ability to adapt her game mid-match something that was visible in her comeback win against Tasnim Mir in the semifinal.
If nurtured carefully, Sihag could soon emerge as one of India’s frontline singles players in the post-Sindhu era. The immediate target will be to push into the world top 70 by the end of 2025, which would allow her to gain more exposure on the BWF World Tour circuit.
With her first title of the year secured, Sihag now turns her focus to upcoming International Series and Challenge events in Asia, where she will look to build momentum and further strengthen her ranking. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has also been encouraging younger players to test themselves regularly on the circuit, and performances like these make a strong case for Sihag’s inclusion in bigger team competitions such as the Uber Cup and Asian Championships. For Indian badminton fans, her victory in Malaysia is a timely reminder that the pipeline of talent remains strong. While the sport has been searching for its next breakout women’s singles star, Devika Sihag’s triumph shows that the transition to a new era may already be underway.
The Malaysia International Challenge 2025 will be remembered as the tournament where Devika Sihag announced herself on the international stage. Beating players ranked higher, overcoming compatriots she had never defeated before, and keeping her composure in pressure moments, the 20-year-old proved she has both the skill and mentality to succeed.
Her first international title of the year is more than just a trophy it is a sign of her readiness to take on the next level of challenges in world badminton. As Indian badminton continues to evolve, Devika Sihag’s rise adds another exciting name to the growing list of young shuttlers carrying the baton forward.
