Malaysia Masters 2025: Kidambi Srikanth reaches first final in 4 years; faces Li Shifeng — Where to watch live
Ranked 65th in the world, Kidambi Srikanth stunned Japan's Yushi Tanaka in the semi-finals on Saturday to make it to the final. The last time he featured in a championship match was at the 2021 BWF World Championships.
While most Indian shuttlers bowed out early at the Malaysia Masters 2025, Kidambi Srikanth kept India's hopes up and delivered a much-needed spark. The former world No. 1, long searching for form, produced a brilliant performance in Bukit Jalil to reach the men’s singles final.
Ranked 65th in the world, Srikanth stunned Japan's Yushi Tanaka in the semi-finals on Saturday. He now faces a formidable challenge in world No. 4 Li Shifeng of China, who got past Japan’s Kodai Naraoka in the other semi-final.
1,253 Days.
— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) May 24, 2025
Since his last final appearance.
Today, @srikidambi storms into the #MalaysiaMasters2025 final 🇲🇾🔥
A comeback shaped by resilience, focus, and the hunger to rise again.
It’s not just a personal return — it’s a statement from Indian badminton.
To the Final ROAR🐅… pic.twitter.com/95R6tkxcOa
Kidambi Srikanth ends 4-year drought
Sunday's clash marks a significant milestone for Kidambi Srikanth, who returns to a tournament final after a long gap. The last time he featured in a championship match was at the 2021 BWF World Championships, where he claimed silver following a loss to Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.
Viktor Axelsen defeated him in the 2019 India Open, a Super 500 tournament, where he had previously made an appearance in a BWF World Tour final. Srikanth’s last taste of international victory, however, dates all the way back to the 2017 French Open — a reminder of how long it's been since he stood atop a podium.
His semi-final victory also earned him a rare feat—Srikanth is now just the second male player ever to reach a BWF World Tour Super 500 final starting from the qualifiers. The first? None other than his upcoming opponent, Li Shifeng, who achieved the same at the 2022 Thailand Open.
A big moment for 🇮🇳 Kidambi Srikanth!
— BWF (@bwfmedia) May 24, 2025
Hear what he had to say after the win. 🎙️#BWFWorldTour #MalaysiaMasters2025 pic.twitter.com/w5RxEClOQF
Kidambi Srikanth vs Li Shifeng: Head-to-head
Li Shifeng holds the edge in their rivalry, having won three of their four previous encounters against Kidambi Srikanth.
Where to watch the Malaysia Masters 2025 final?
The final between Kidambi Srikanth and Li Shifeng is scheduled for Sunday, with the match expected to begin around 10:10 AM IST.
Fans in India can watch the action live on the Sports18 channel or stream it on Voot Select. The match will also be available for live streaming on the Hotstar app and website. Additionally, BWF TV — the official YouTube channel of the Badminton World Federation — will provide live coverage.
Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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