Badminton
Thomas Cup 2026: India loses semi-final; wins bronze β 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 11:29 PM IST
Popov fights back
Toma Junior Popov fights back with four straight points to reduce the deficit to just a point at 6-7, before HS Prannoy pulls it back with a cross court smash.
Popov wins the next point with a well placed shot and then wins a net tussle. The Frenchman has equalised at 8-8.
- 2 May 2026 11:27 PM IST
Brilliant start for HS Prannoy
All the cheers from the sidelines seem to be working. HS Prannoy has opened up an early 7-2 lead.
A five-point advantage for India. That's a first for this evening. Neither Ayush Shetty nor Kidambi Srikanth had such a lead at any point.
- 2 May 2026 11:25 PM IST
The cheer squad going all out
They know what is at stake and they don't want to leave it to chance. Satwik-Chirag cheering and dancing with loud cheers. They want to impose themselves. They want Prannoy to have their energy.
The usually awkward Ayush Shetty is at it as well, so are Dhruv Kapila and Kiran George, who haven't gotten a single match this tournament.
- 2 May 2026 11:23 PM IST
Prannoy to receive first
HS Prannoy to receive first from the far end of the screen.
He is on to the net in a jiffy and wins the first point, with a good push. Popov then goes out of bounds and the Indian has a 2-0 lead.
- 2 May 2026 11:22 PM IST
Lakshya Sen on the coaching seat
Lakshya Sen, who had to miss out on the match tonight due to an injury, is in the coaching seat for HS Prannoy. Also present in the chair is coach Yoo Yong-Sung.
- 2 May 2026 11:20 PM IST
HS Prannoy strides out
A billion hopes now rest solely on the shoulders of HS Prannoy. Win to give the doubles pair of Hariharan-Arjun, and Satwik-Chirag a chance.
Lose and you end the campaign with a bronze.
He is up against Toma Junior Popov. The only previous battle between the two ended in the favour of the French youngster.
Right then, Prannoy all set. Against the odds. He has done it before. Can he do it again?
- 2 May 2026 11:15 PM IST
Must win match for HS Prannoy
Kidambi Srikanth's loss leaves HS Prannoy in a must win situation. He pulled India out of trouble multiple times during their title winning run four years ago.
Can Prannoy do it once more to give his doubles teammates a shot at it?
Or will this be a 0-3 drubbing for India?
Answers in a bit...
- 2 May 2026 11:11 PM IST
ALEX LANIER WINSSS!
Kidambi Srikanth jabs at a shuttle, eager to win a quick point and makes a meal out of it.
The shuttle fails to cross the net. Alex Lanier has taken down Kidambi Srikanth 21-16, 21-18.
The French youngster is on his knee, celebrating. The Indian veteran has hands on his knees in disappointment in the background.
France take a 2-0 lead!
- 2 May 2026 11:09 PM IST
2 MATCH POINTS, LANIER!
Alex Lanier has two match points, catching Srikanth with a body shot. Can he convert?
