Badminton
Thomas Cup 2026: India loses semi-final; wins bronze – Highlights
Check out all the Highlights from the 2026 Thomas Cup Semi-final between India and France.
Indian men's badminton team celebrate after winning the 2026 Thomas Cup quarter-finals (Photo credit: Badminton Photo/BWF)
2026 Thomas Cup Highights: The Indian men's badminton team clinched a bronze medal at the 2026 Thomas Cup, losing their semi-final 0-3 to France in Horsens, Denmark on Saturday.
All three of Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy lost their respective singles matches in straight games as India failed to advance to the final.
While Shetty went down 11-21, 9-21 to Christo Popov, Srikanth lost out 16-21, 18-21 to Alex Lanier.
Prannoy then surrendered 19-21, 16-21 to Toma Junior Popov as France reached their first Thomas Cup final.
The men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan-Arjun MR and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty weren't even called into action.
Earlier, Lakshya Sen was ruled out of the semi-final after having picked up an elbow injury during the quarter-final match.
Highlights:
Live Updates
- 2 May 2026 11:46 PM IST
HS Prannoy concedes the opening game
Boy, oh, boy...how has this turned around!?
HS Prannoy was in cruise control for most of the opening game. He had the lead even when the serves were exchanged back and forth.
He had a loud and imposing cheer squad behind him. But Toma Junior Popov holds his own.
Popov raises his game when it matters and snatches the first game 21-19 right under Prannoy's nose!
- 2 May 2026 11:44 PM IST
1 Game Point
The most thrilling match of the evening yet. Toma Junior Popov wins two points in a row and has a game point at 20-19.
Only the second time in the match that Popov has had the lead.
- 2 May 2026 11:42 PM IST
Massive roar from Prannoy
Popov once again lifts and Prannoy once again wins the point with a powerful cross-court smash.
The Indian lets out a loud roar. He is pumping himself up is Prannoy. 18-17.
- 2 May 2026 11:41 PM IST
It is neck-and-neck. Neither player willing to give an inch as the serves keep exchanging. 17-17.
- 2 May 2026 11:39 PM IST
A service error from Prannoy & lead for Popov
Much like Kidambi Srikanth earlier in the day, HS Prannoy errs with the serve helping Popov level at 15-15 after he had hit wide.
Popov now has the lead for the first time in the match as Prannoy goes wide to trail 15-16!
- 2 May 2026 11:38 PM IST
Stunning smash from HS Prannoy
A net dribble from HS Prannoy, forcing Toma Popov to lift. The Indian back tracks, leaps and rains down a powerful smash 14-12.
A nice soft touch from Popov on the net before Prannoy hits the shuttle into the net. The world No 17 has levelled up once again 14-14.
- 2 May 2026 11:36 PM IST
Prannoy working his magic
Prannoy is keeping things tight at this moment. No loose shots, no early jabs in search of points. Just waiting for his moment and then grabbing it with both hands. Leads 13-11.
- 2 May 2026 11:35 PM IST
Kidambi Srikanth, the coach?
Lakshya Sen has made way for Kidambi Srikanth in the coaching chair now.
Having just lost his match, Kidambi is back with some advice for Prannoy in the mid-game interval.
Coach Yoo Yong-Sung looks a bit lost as the Indian veterans converse in Telugu.
Got to love this camaraderie within the Indian set up. They'll die fighting but always stand up for each other!
- 2 May 2026 11:33 PM IST
A slender lead for HS Prannoy
Popov isn't willing to go down without a fight. Wins two straight points to level up at 10-10, before a shot lands long from him.
HS Prannoy leads 11-10 at the mid-game interval!
- 2 May 2026 11:32 PM IST
A long rally and it falls in favour of HS Prannoy. He pushes Popov to all corners and the French shuttler has to put in a dive to retrieve.
Before Popov could get back to his position, Prannoy kills the point smartly with a last minute change of racquet angle.
10-8 lead for Prannoy and the cheer squad is loving this!
