Thomas Cup 2026: India Went Down Fighting 2-3 To China
The Indian
Men’s Badminton finished runners-up of Group A as they went down fighting to defending
Champions China by 2-3 in last league game played at Horsens, Denmark on 29th
April 2026.
Lakshya Sen
suffered a thrilling 3 game loss to Li Shifeng in the first singles tie. It was
a very close affair right from the word go as both players fought for each
point. At the mid-game break, Li took a commanding 11-9 lead. After the break, both
players fought for each point before Sen committed unforced error as Li took
first game 21-19.
The second
game saw Lakshya coming all gun’s firing putting on brilliant badminton display
not allowing any chances to his opponent. At the mid-game break, Sen took a
commanding 11-2 lead. After the break, it was one-way traffic as Indian won it
easily by 21-8 to force the match into decider.
It was a
closely fought affair in the initial stages of the decider till 7-7 before Li
dominated the play to take a 11-7 lead at the break. After the interval, Li put
enough pressure on Sen and won it with 21-12 scoreline to give China 1-0 lead.
The men’s
doubles pairing of Satwik/Chirag lost to Liang and Wang in three thrilling
games. Both pairs started the first on even keel with lovely shots. At the
mid-game break, Liang and Wang took a 11-9 lead. After the break, the Chinese
pairing put on brilliant badminton display winning with 21-13 scoreline.
It was very
closely fought affair in the initial stages of second game before Satwik/Chirag
put on brilliant badminton with smashes keeping Liang and Wang under pressure.
At the mid-game break, the Indian pairing took 11-6 lead. After the break, Satwik/Chirag
continued his domination to win the second game by 21-13.
The third
game saw Satwik/Chirag got off to perfect start keeping pressure on the Chinese
pairing. Both players fought for each point before Indian pairing took a
slender 11-10 lead. After the interval, Satwik/Chirag looked to take game away with
16-12 lead before Liang and Wang fought back strongly to held onto their nerves
winning by 26-24 as China took 2-0 lead in the tie.
Ayush
Shetty got India’s first point defeating Weng Hong in three games. Both players
started the first on even keel taking alternate points. Weng stormed back into
the game taking a slender 11-10 lead at the break. After the interval, it was
closely fought affair till 16-16 before Weng took points in succession to take
first game 21-17.
Ayush put
on brilliant badminton display right from word go in the second game keeping
Weng under immense pressure. At the mid-game break, 20-year Ayush took 11-4
lead. After the interval, it was one-way traffic as the Indian won with 21-13
scoreline.
The third
game saw Ayush began on aggressive note putting Weng under immense pressure.
After the initial stages, the stylish left Chinese took points in succession
before Ayush took a slender 11-10 lead at the break. After the interval, Ayush
played brilliant badminton on the net keeping Weng under pressure winning by
21-15.
The 2nd
men’s doubles pairing of Amsakarunan and MR Arjun lost to He/Ren in two
straight games. It was a closely fought affair as Indian pairing showed promise
with smashes before experience pairing of He/Ren showed class to take 11-7 lead
at the break. After the interval, Indian pairing took 4 successive points and
level scores with 11-11. Both pairs fought for each point till 17-17 before
He/Ren won by 21-17.
He and Ren
displayed powerful badminton in the second game not allowing any chances to
Amsakarunan/Arjun winning by 21-14 to give China the tie at 3-1.
HS Prannoy
defeated Lu Gungazu in a thrilling 3 game match. The first game was a closely
fought affair right from the word go as both players showed class and did not
give an inch to other player. At the mid-game break, Prannoy took a slender
11-10 lead. After the break, Prannoy looked in complete control putting enough
pressure on Lu and had 5 match points. Lu fought back strongly to take 5
successive points to win first game 22-20.
Prannoy
began the second game on aggressive note putting pressure on Lu with his smashes.
After the interval, Lu fought back strongly levelling scores at 14-14. The
Indian held onto his nerves to win second game by 21-19.
Prannoy
began the third game with decent smashes keeping Lu under pressure. At the
mid-game break, Indian had a good lead. After the interval, it was one-way
traffic as Prannoy won by 21-11 and lost the tie by 2-3.
The
quarterfinals will be played on 1st May. It will be decided after
group stage matches that will finish today.
Result of
India vs China (Thomas Cup 2026)
Lakshya Sen
lost to Li Shifeng- 19-21, 21-8, 12-21 (Men’s Singles)
Satwik/Chirag
Shetty lost to Liang and Wang-13-21, 21-13, 24-26 (Men’s Doubles)
Ayush
Shetty defeated Weng Hong-17-21, 21-13, 21-15 (Men’s Singles)
Amsakarunan/MR
Arjun lost to He/Ren-17-21, 14-21 (Men’s Doubles)
HS Prannoy
defeated Lu Gungzau-20-22, 21-19, 21-11 (Men’s Singles)
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