Kidambi Srikanth defeated by China’s Li Shifeng secured second place at the Malaysia Masters,. Although he was defeated, his return to a BWF final after six years has renewed hopes for a comeback.
Anshu Kashid
Pune | May 26, 2025: Although India’s long wait for a badminton title continues, veteran shuttler Kidambi Srikanth gave fans something to cheer about by finishing runner-up at the Malaysia Masters, his first BWF World Tour final in six years. Even though he lost in the final to world no. 4 Li Shifeng of China, Srikanth’s determined journey throughout the tournament suggests a potential resurgence in his performance.
Having entered the main draw through qualifiers, 32-year-old Srikanth put up a commendable show throughout the tournament. However, in Sunday’s final, he was outclassed in straight games 11-21, 9-21, with the match lasting just 36 minutes. The Indian ace struggled with control and committed unforced errors, which allowed the Chinese shuttler to dominate. Even a blistering 402 km/h smash wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Srikanth admitted, “This tournament was satisfying. Though I couldn’t win the final, reaching here gives me hope. I’ve been dealing with injuries and poor form, so this result boosts my confidence.”
In the opening game, Srikanth trailed early, slipping behind 3-6 and never quite recovering as Li dictated play with precision. Despite showing bursts of aggression—including a 22-shot rally—he could not close the gap, and Li wrapped up the first game in just 16 minutes.
In the second game, Li’s attacking play proved too strong again as he surged to an 11-5 lead, effectively shutting the door on any comeback. Srikanth, chasing his sixth BWF title, had to settle for second place.
Yet, this runner-up finish is a positive sign after years of struggle. “I’m happy to be back competing. This title means something to me, even if it’s not gold. I now want to stay consistent and enjoy my game,” Srikanth said with optimism.
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