Former champions India secured a spot in the Thomas Cup badminton team tournament semifinals by defeating Chinese Taipei 3-0 at the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 in Horsens, Denmark. The Indian men’s team, finishing second in their group, dominated the quarterfinal with Lakshya Sen’s comeback win against Chou Tien Chen. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also contributed to the victory by winning the men’s doubles match.
Aiyush Shetty further solidified India’s lead by triumphing in the second singles match against Lin Chun-Yi. India will now face the winner of the France-Japan match in the semifinals scheduled for Saturday. In a remarkable achievement, India reached the Thomas Cup semifinals in 2022 after a 43-year gap, with previous semifinal appearances in 1952, 1955, and 1979.
Lakshya Sen’s remarkable performance against Chou Tien Chen showcased his resilience and skill, securing a crucial lead for India. Despite facing match points in the second game, Sen fought back and dominated the decider with a strategic display of net play and powerful smashes. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s victory in the men’s doubles match further highlighted India’s prowess in the tournament.
The Indian pair overcame a tough challenge from their Chinese Taipei opponents, eventually sealing the match and extending India’s lead to 2-0. Satwik-Chirag’s strategic play and resilience were evident as they maintained a significant lead throughout the deciding game, ultimately securing a crucial win for the team.
