Thomas Cup 2026: India loses semi-final; wins bronze – Highlights
Consecutive points for Ayush
A push gone long as Popov opens up a 4-1 lead, but Ayush pulls one back with a well-placed cross court smash to reduce the deficit to 2-4.
Popov then hits the shuttle into the net as Ayush trails 3-4.
Ayush loses a challenge
A slight error on the net dribble from Ayush and the shuttle fails to crossover. He trails 1-2.
Ayush then seems to have lift long. He feels otherwise and asks for a challenge. Replays show it was way out. 1-3.
A long rally early on
A long 43-shot rally as early as the second point. Popov hits wide and helps Ayush equalise at 1-1.
Earlier, Popov had won the first point with a good drop shot.
Ayush Shetty strides out!
A huge weight on his shoulders as Ayush Shetty strides out as men's singles No 1 for India.
He goes up against Christo Popov and trails 0-1 in head-to-head encounters.
It is up to an unbeaten Ayush to set tone for what's to come...
Why the change in match order?
It is largely down to France's higher-ranked men's doubles pair being Christo Popov and Toma Junior Popov.
The two of them will also play in singles matches, and BWF rules dictate that shuttlers can't play back-to-back matches in a team tournament.
Christo will play the first men's singles match, and Toma will play the third.
Hence, the match order is rejigged and the men's doubles 1 featuring Satwik-Chirag v/s the Popov brothers has been pushed to the end.
France to start with an advantage
France has made it to the semi-finals on the back of their singles trio of Christo Popov, Alex Lanier, and Toma Junior Popov. All three of them are ranked inside top-20 in the world.
All three singles matches will be played first in the semi-final tie, unlike the usual singles-doubles alternate matches.
This coupled with the absence of Lakshya Sen, puts France firmly on the front foot both tactically and skill wise.
India's ever-reliant Satwik-Chirag are slated to play the final match of the tie. And if the singles trio of Ayush, Srikanth, Prannoy and doubles pair of Hariharan-Arjun are unable to keep the former champions afloat in earlier matches, Satwik-Chirag won't even get to play in the semi-final.
INDIA v/s FRANCE LINE UP
Men's Singles 1: Ayush Shetty v/s Christo Popov
Men's Singles 2: Kidambi Srikanth v/s Alex Lanier
Men's Singles 3: HS Prannoy v/s Toma Junior Popov
Men's Doubles 2: Hariharan Amsakarunan-Arjun MR v/s Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi
Men's Doubles 1: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty v/s Christo Popov-Toma Popov
BAI statement on Lakshya Sen
"Lakshya sustained an impact to his elbow following an intense quarterfinal match that involved multiple dives," the Badminton Association of India said in a statement.
"Following a thorough evaluation by the team’s medical staff, the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to allow Lakshya adequate recovery time and ensure he is in optimal condition for the final, should India progress," they added.
Goood Eveninggg!
Hello and a warm welcome to The Bridge's LIVE coverage of the 2026 Thomas Cup semi-final between India and France.
While India are in hunt to reclaim their crown from 2022, France are in an uncharted territory already, having made the semi-finals for the first time.
India will have to make do without the services of an injured Lakshya Sen in the tie and that does peg them back by quite a bit.
Sen, who would have played the first singles match against Christo Popov, had a 6-2 head-to-head advantage against the Frenchman.
Instead, the onus would now fall on the young Ayush Shetty to take down the world No 4.
Can India make their way into the second Thomas Cup final? Stay tuned to find out!
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