Who Will Dominate at the Odisha Masters 2025?
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Synopsis
The Odisha Masters 2025 saw thrilling performances from India's young talents, with Rounak Chouhan, Isharani Baruah, and Tasnim Mir delivering major upsets. Established players like Unnati Hooda and Kiran George also advanced, promising an exciting tournament ahead. Can these young stars continue to shine?
Key Takeaways
- Rounak Chouhan achieved a major upset against Jason Gunawan.
- Isharani Baruah stunned the second seed Pornpicha Choeikeewong.
- Unnati Hooda and Kiran George advanced comfortably.
- Several young talents are making their mark on the international stage.
- The competition continues to heat up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Cuttack, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Odisha Masters 2025 kicked off with a bang as India's youthful talents showcased their prowess on the first day of the main draw, delivering remarkable victories and surprising upsets. Among the stars were Rounak Chouhan, Isharani Baruah, and Tasnim Mir, all shining brightly. Other notable players such as Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, and Kiran George also advanced to the next stage with confidence.
Chouhan, a member of India's historic World Junior Championships medal-winning team, achieved one of the day's biggest upsets by defeating Jason Gunawan, a winner at the Syed Modi International, in a thrilling 64-minute Round of 32 match. After losing the first game 15-21, the young Indian rallied back to defeat the third seed from Hong Kong-China with scores of 21-17, 21-19. Chouhan will next face his compatriot Varun Kapur, who overcame Bharath Latheesh from the UAE 21-16, 16-21, 21-19 in 56 minutes.
The top-seeded men’s singles players, Tharun Mannepalli and Kiran George, received byes in the Round of 64. Tharun advanced effortlessly to the pre-quarters with a decisive 21-5, 21-8 victory over Manav Choudhary in just 27 minutes and will face his fellow Indian Govind Krishna, who triumphed over Kavin Thangam 21-12, 19-21, 21-15. Similarly, second seed Kiran George progressed with a 21-12, 21-13 win against Rajesh Srikar and will compete against Indonesia’s Dendi Triansyah next.
In the women’s singles category, Isharani Baruah stunned the crowd with the day’s most significant upset, defeating second seed Pornpicha Choeikeewong from Thailand 21-15, 21-8 in a dominant 32-minute performance. The 21-year-old from Assam later advanced to the quarterfinals after receiving a walkover in the Round of 16.
The top seed, Unnati Hooda, commenced her journey with a win over the UAE’s Prakriti Bharath 21-12, 21-18 in 32 minutes. She will face Tidapron Kleebyeesun from Thailand in the pre-quarters after Tidapron defeated Stefani Stoeva from Bulgaria 21-16, 21-15. Third seed Tanvi Sharma also moved ahead, securing a 21-8, 17-21, 21-18 victory over Japan’s Anna Iwaki and will next challenge fellow Indian Aditi Bhatt, who edged out Liang Ka Wing 21-19, 24-22.
Tasnim Mir contributed to India's success with a victory over fourth seed Rakshitha Sree. After losing the first game 17-21, Tasnim made a strong comeback, winning the next two games 21-17, 21-13 to secure her spot in the pre-quarters.
Anmol Kharb, a semifinalist at the Arctic Open, also progressed, overcoming Thailand’s Yataweemin Ketklieng in a nail-biting 1-hour 8-minute match. After dropping the first game 17-21, Anmol bounced back to claim the second 21-19 and narrowly edged the decider 23-21. She will compete against Shiori Ebihara from Japan in the upcoming round.
As the competition heats up on Day 2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cuttack, India's contingent has made an impressive start, setting the stage for exciting upcoming rounds in pursuit of the coveted title.
Point of View
It's evident that the Odisha Masters 2025 is not just a platform for established players but also a launchpad for the incredible potential of young athletes in India. Their performances reflect the growing strength of Indian badminton on the global stage, and we at NationPress will continue to support and highlight these emerging talents.
NationPress
11/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the major upset winners at the Odisha Masters 2025?
The major upset winners included Rounak Chouhan, who defeated Jason Gunawan, and Isharani Baruah, who outplayed Pornpicha Choeikeewong.
Which Indian players advanced to the next rounds?
Players like Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, and Kiran George advanced confidently into the next rounds.
What were the notable match results?
Some notable results include Chouhan's victory in 64 minutes and Isharani's dominant win in just 32 minutes.
Where is the Odisha Masters 2025 being held?
The Odisha Masters 2025 is taking place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cuttack, India.
What is the significance of this tournament for young players?
This tournament serves as a critical platform for young Indian players to showcase their skills and gain international experience.
