Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly in action during the Syed Modi International badminton tournament in Lucknow.
| Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
K. Srikanth’s wait for a maiden World Tour title continued.
The Indian came agonisingly close before falling short at the Syed Modi India International 2025 in Lucknow, losing 21-16, 8-21, 22-20 to Jason Gunawan in the final on Sunday (November 30, 2025).
This was Gunawan’s first win over Srikanth in their three face-offs.
The only bright spot for the vociferous fans at the BBD U.P. Badminton Academy courts was Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand successfully defending their title against Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe in three games.
This was Srikanth’s second runner-up finish this year on the tour, and the more painful one, given he was within reach of the title despite an early reversal in the first game.
The much younger Gunawan was quickly off the mark and made full use of his superior physicality and strength in the initial stage for a 21-16 win, even as Srikanth tentatively probed around for his opponent’s weaknesses and his own rhythm. He found it in the second game, relying more on strategic placement, deception at the net and experience to preserve his energy and raise his game only when needed. The result was a one-sided 21-8 win to take the match into the decider.
There was everything to play for, and the two stayed close before Srikanth opened up a three-point lead twice, first at 14-11 and then at 17-14. But Gunawan was relentless and closed the gap before Srikanth went a little too wide.
Treesa-Gayatri duo, meanwhile, was taken by surprise by the Japanese pair and was found wanting with gaps in its defence and errors before overhauling its game. The Indians became a lot more attacking and quicker, especially Treesa at the back with her smashes and Gayatri covering the fore court.
The increased pace and quick returns rattled the opposition, often leaving them undecided. Osawa and Tanabe tried to keep the shuttle in play more with longer rallies going their way, but the Indians managed to fight through to win 17-21, 21-13, 21-15.
The results (Finals):
Men: Jason Gunawan (Hkg) bt K. Srikanth 21-16, 8-21, 22-20; Doubles: Khai Xing Kang & Aaron Tai (Mas) bt Weijie Chia & Sheng Hao Lwi (Mas) 21-9, 21-19.
Women: Neslihan Hina Akechi (Jpn) bt Arin (Tur) 21-16, 21-14; Doubles: Treesa Jolly & Gayatri Gopichand bt Kaho Osawa & Mai Tanabe (Jpn) 17-21, 21-13, 21-15.
Mixed doubles: Dejan Ferdinandsyah & Bernadine Wardana (Ina) bt Pakkapon Teeraratsakul & Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) 21-19, 21-16.
Published – November 30, 2025 04:33 pm IST