Former champions India showcased a dominant performance against higher-ranked Chinese Taipei, securing a spot in the semifinals and guaranteeing themselves a medal at the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 in Horsens, Denmark. India’s 2022 champions triumphed over Taipei with a 3-0 victory in the men’s quarterfinals, setting up a semifinal clash against the winner of the Japan-France match.
Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty, and Ayush Shetty emerged as key players in India’s quarterfinal win by clinching their respective matches. World no. 6 Lakshya Sen kickstarted India’s success by defeating Chou Tien Chen in a thrilling encounter that went to three games, ultimately securing the first point for India.
In the subsequent matches, the Indian duo of Rankireddy and Shetty extended India’s lead to 2-0 with a solid performance, followed by Ayush Shetty’s decisive victory that sealed the quarterfinal for India. Shetty’s impressive display against Lin Chun-Yi ensured India’s progression to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the France-Japan encounter.
India’s journey in the Thomas Cup has been remarkable, with their last semifinal appearance dating back to 2022 after a 43-year hiatus. Sen’s remarkable comeback against Chou Tien Chen and the stellar performances by the Indian shuttlers have propelled India closer to the coveted Thomas & Uber Cup title.
