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 10:53 PM IST
Multiple errors from Kidambi Srikanth
Srikanth is now struggling to keep the shuttle in play. Two more shots hit wide and he is down 3-6.
A long rally follows and Srikanth emerges out on top. He had Lanier on the backfoot for most of it and wins it with a brilliant down-the-line smash.
Srikanth trails 4-6.
But prolonging rallies seem to be the way to go for the Indian.
- 2 May 2026 10:51 PM IST
A close start yet again
Srikanth hits the shuttle onto the net, looking for a soft drop, before Lanier's return hits the net. 3-2 lead for Srikanth.
Consecutive points for Lanier now as Srikanth hits out of bounds. The former world No 1 trails 3-4.
- 2 May 2026 10:50 PM IST
Srikanth with the serve
Srikanth starts with the serve in the second game and Alex Lanier with a good interception from the mid-court to win the first point.
The Frenchman then lifts long and Srikanth is back on level terms at 1-1.
An error in judgement from Lanier on the sidelines and the Indian leads 2-1.
- 2 May 2026 10:47 PM IST
Srikanth concedes Game 1
Srikanth fought tooth and nail in the opening game, but it wasn't to be. He lands a shot long and it brings about his downfall.
Alex Lanier wins the opening game 21-16, converting the game point at the first time of asking.
- 2 May 2026 10:46 PM IST
Rapid rallies
The rallies are getting rapid with each passing point. Short and intense.
Out of nowhere, Lanier has four game points at 20-16.
- 2 May 2026 10:46 PM IST
Alex Lanier loses a challenge
Srikanth's shot called in at the back-line and Alex Lanier challenges. It landed right on the back-line.
Srikanth trails 15-18 now, but that was smart from Lanier to take a breather and slow the game down.
- 2 May 2026 10:44 PM IST
Mini fightback from Srikanth
A mini fightback from Srikanth, winning four points in a row. The penultimate one of those was a good smash from the backcourt, before he intercepts a shot from mid-court to win a point.
Srikanth had reduced the deficit to four points at 14-18.
- 2 May 2026 10:43 PM IST
Srikanth trails by 7 points
Alex Lanier is tightening the screws now and Kidambi Srikanth is falling back.
Srikanth's attacks have been blunted with ease, a few of it his own doing with misplaced shots. 10-17.
- 2 May 2026 10:42 PM IST
Brilliant from Lanier
A lovely touch at the net from Lanier and Srikanth is taken aback. He was expecting the shuttle to go deep into his forehand corner, instead it lands on his backhand forecourt. 10-15.
- 2 May 2026 10:41 PM IST
Smash hit wide
Kidambi Srikanth wins a point as Lanier's return fails to cross the net before the Indian hits a down-the-line smash wide.
These are errors Srikanth can't afford. 9-13
