Thomas Cup 2026: India loses semi-final; wins bronze – Highlights

A service error from Srikanth

Srikanth trumps at the net to win the first point after the interval, but then his the shuttle flush onto the net with his serve. 8-12.

Kidambi Srikanth loses a challenge

A lift from Alex Lanier called in at the backline. Srikanth asks for a review immediately and is proven wrong.

Kidambi Srikanth after matching Lanier shot-for-shot for most part has gone down by four points at the first mid-game interval. He trails 7-11.

Brilliant smash from Srikanth

Alex Lanier wins two points and Srikanth pulls it back with a stunning cross-court smash.

Vintage SriKi this. Goes to the back court, leaps and hits the shuttle with all the power he has. 7-9.

Srikanth doing well

There were questions if Srikanth will be able to cope up with Lanier's speed coming into this contest.

But he has done extremely well so far to keep the world No 10 in check. Still early days in the match, but these are encouraging signs for India. 

Srikanth trails 6-7.

A close start

Back-to-back errors from Kidambi Srikanth as Alex Lanier opens up a two-point lead at 5-3.

Lanier, then, ends up putting a drop shot wide on Srikanth's backhand side. 4-5.

The umpire announces the score 4-5, and Srikanth is confused. "Sorry, 4-5," the umpire quips.

Kidambi Srikanth equalises

A brilliant-down-the line smash from Srikanth to reduce the deficit to 2-3.

It is followed by another smash, which is returned by Lanier but this time Srikanth jumps on to the net to kill the point. 3-3. 

Alex Lanier wins first two points

Alex Lanier jumps into the net straight away and directs the shuttle into Srikanth's empty back-hand fore court to win the first point. 

Srikanth then goes long to trail 0-2. 

The Indian, however, pulls a point back with a jump-smash from the midcourt. 1-2.

Kidambi Srikanth to receive first

Alex Lanier wins the toss and opts to serve first. Kidambi Srikanth chooses the near end of the court.

A classic generational battle. India will hope experience trumps youth tonight in this battle.

UP NEXT: Kidambi Srikanth v/s Alex Lanier

Kidambi Srikanth, former world No 1 and India's 2022 Thomas Cup hero, steps out to court No 2. 

He is up against Alex Lanier, the world No 10. It will be the first meeting between the two.

Ayush Shetty's first loss of the tournament

Christo Popov is the first shuttler to register a win over Ayush Shetty in the 2026 Thomas Cup.

Ayush was up 4-0, having won all four matches heading into the semi-final.