Indian badminton players HS Prannoy, Malvika Bansod, and the mixed doubles duo Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto have all progressed to the second round of the Malaysia Open 2025, following impressive victories in their respective events on January 8. In what has been a positive day for India at the BWF Super 1000 event, several other Indian players also featured prominently, though not all managed to get past the opening rounds.
HS Prannoy Advances with a Hard-Fought Win
HS Prannoy's match was delayed by a day due to a leaky roof at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, but the Indian shuttler managed to come through a tough contest against Canada's Brian Yang. The match, which lasted an hour and 29 minutes, ended with Prannoy securing a 21-12, 17-21, 21-15 victory.
Prannoy, who had to cope with an intense rallying from Yang in the second game, fought hard to regain control in the final game. The win ensures he moves on to the second round where he will face Chinese seventh seed Shi Feng Li, who comfortably defeated India’s Priyanshu Rajawat 21-11, 21-16 in their opening match. Rajawat's exit, alongside Lakshya Sen’s earlier loss, left Prannoy as the only surviving Indian in the men’s singles competition.
Malvika Bansod Moves On After Defeating Local Favourite
Malvika Bansod continued her strong form, defeating Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei 21-15, 21-16 in their opening women’s singles encounter. The match lasted just 45 minutes, and Bansod was in full control throughout, looking composed and determined. This victory sets her up for a second-round clash with either Chinese third seed Han Yue or another challenger in the next round.
Bansod’s win has been a bright spot for India, as she looks to build on her solid performances at the recent tournaments.
Kapila and Crasto Continue Strong Showings in Mixed Doubles
In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto defeated South Korea’s Sung Hyun Ko and Hye Won Eom 21-13, 21-14. The Indian pair displayed solid coordination and skill to register a comfortable victory and will now face the seventh-seeded Chinese duo Xing Cheng and Chi Zhang in the round of 16. Kapila and Crasto’s partnership has been steadily improving, and their confidence after this win will be crucial as they face tougher opposition in the coming rounds.
Sathish Kumar and Aadya Variyath Progress in Men’s Doubles
The men’s doubles pair of Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath also made it through to the second round. The Indian duo defeated compatriots Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh 21-13, 21-15. This win sets them up for an exciting pre-quarterfinal matchup against the fourth-seeded Malaysian pair of Soon Huat Goh and Shevon Jemie Lai. Sathish and Aadya's performance will be under the spotlight as they take on a more experienced and highly ranked team in the next round.
Early Exits for the Panda Sisters and Crasto-Ponnappa
Despite the successes of Prannoy, Bansod, Kapila, Crasto, Sathish, and Aadya, there were disappointments for some other Indian pairs. The Panda sisters – Rutaparna and Swetaparna – fell to Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard 17-21, 10-21 in the women’s doubles. This early exit was a blow for the Indian duo, who had been hoping for a deeper run in the tournament.
Another disappointing result came from the experienced pairing of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, who lost to Japan’s Misaki Matsutomo and Chiharu Shida 21-23, 12-21. The match was tightly contested in the opening game but the Japanese duo pulled away in the second to seal the victory. Crasto and Ponnappa’s defeat signals the end of their campaign at this year’s Malaysia Open.
Looking Ahead
India’s badminton contingent has had mixed results so far at the Malaysia Open 2025, with strong performances from the men’s singles, mixed doubles, and women’s singles events. The success of players like Prannoy, Bansod, Kapila, and Crasto has given India a lot of hope as they look forward to the next rounds. With some of the top players exiting early, the tournament has opened up opportunities for the emerging players to make a mark on the international stage.
India’s focus now shifts to the second round, where the remaining players will look to continue their good form and aim for a place in the quarterfinals. With more intense action expected in the coming days, fans of Indian badminton are eagerly anticipating what will unfold next in Kuala Lumpur.
