Sathish Shocks Chen, Sindhu Upset, Prannoy Advances

Day 3 of the Malaysia Masters 2025 delivered high drama and excitement, especially for Indian badminton fans. The biggest surprise came from India’s rising star, Sathish Kumar, who stunned everyone by pulling off a sensational upset against the world No. 7 Chen Long in a gripping straight-game encounter. Sathish, largely unknown outside the domestic circuit until recently, played with remarkable maturity, fearlessness, and tactical brilliance. From the first rally, he took control with blistering smashes, sharp angles, and deft net play that forced Chen out of his comfort zone. Chen, a former Olympic champion, tried to claw his way back into the match with powerful returns and aggressive footwork, but Sathish remained unfazed. Every time Chen gained momentum, Sathish countered with precision, often catching the Chinese star off-guard with clever drop shots and aggressive court positioning. The match ended 21-17, 21-16 in Sathish’s favor, sending shockwaves through the badminton community and establishing him as one of India’s most promising young talents to watch in 2025.

While Sathish’s victory sparked celebrations, HS Prannoy added to the delight with a determined and hard-earned win over Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto. The match was a classic three-game thriller that tested both athletes to their physical and mental limits. Prannoy, who has built a reputation for resilience and match temperament, came back strong after dropping the first game. He adjusted his strategy by mixing up his pace, varying his angles, and extending rallies to force Nishimoto into errors. The Indian shuttler’s fitness and tactical changes paid off as he clinched the second and third games, progressing to the quarterfinals. However, not all news was positive for Indian fans. PV Sindhu, one of India’s most accomplished shuttlers, faced a surprising setback with a defeat to Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen. Sindhu looked far from her best — her footwork was sluggish, her judgment at the baseline was off, and she committed a string of unforced errors. Nguyen, on the other hand, maintained steady pressure, stayed composed, and played to her strengths with controlled aggression and consistency. The match ended 18-21, 15-21 in Nguyen’s favor, leaving Sindhu searching for answers in what has been an inconsistent season so far. As the Malaysia Masters progresses, all eyes will now be on Sathish and Prannoy to carry the Indian challenge forward, while Sindhu will look to regroup ahead of the upcoming tournaments on the BWF circuit. The tournament continues to promise thrilling action, unexpected upsets, and perhaps a new chapter in Indian badminton's evolving narrative.