Indian badminton star Kidambi Srikanth has entered his first BWF final in six years, defeating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in straight games at the Malaysia Masters 2025. The emphatic 21-12, 21-17 win marks a major career revival for the former World No. 1.
Srikanth looked sharp and composed throughout the semifinal clash. He dominated the first game with aggressive net play and deep smashes, taking a quick lead and never looking back. In the second game, Tanaka fought harder but struggled to match Srikanth’s pace and precision.
The 31-year-old Indian shuttler hadn’t reached a BWF final since the 2018 India Open. Injuries and inconsistent form had derailed his progress in recent years. This breakthrough at the Super 500 tournament is seen as a sign of resurgence just months ahead of the Paris Olympics.
His run to the final in Kuala Lumpur has included key wins over higher-ranked opponents. He defeated Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the quarterfinals and Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen earlier in the tournament.
With this performance, Srikanth has shown flashes of his 2017 form, when he won four Super Series titles and briefly held the top spot in the world rankings. The badminton community has praised his determination to return to the elite level despite fierce competition from younger players.
Srikanth now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between China’s Weng Hong Yang and Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia. Regardless of the result, reaching the final is already a major confidence boost and could improve his chances of Olympic qualification.
This final appearance could be a turning point for Srikanth, who has faced growing pressure from fans and critics. His improved footwork, sharper defence, and renewed tactical clarity were all visible in this tournament.
The final will be a crucial test not just of form, but also of his readiness to reclaim his place among the sport’s elite. All eyes now turn to Sunday’s clash, where Srikanth will aim to lift his first title since 2017.
