Thomas Cup 2026: Solid start for India, Canada beaten comfortably even as Lakshya Sen falters

India launched their Thomas Cup 2026 campaign on a high note, securing an unassailable 4-1 lead against Canada in their opening group tie. The win was driven by a collective team effort, with standout performances from Badminton Asia Championships runner-up Ayush Shetty and the world-class doubles pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who helped the squad rally back from an early disadvantage.

India rout Canada 4-1 in Thomas Cup opener

The defending champions initially faced a shaky start when World No. 4 Lakshya Sen suffered a surprising upset. Despite a spirited performance, Sen fell to World No. 13 Victor Lai in a three-game battle, losing 18-21, 21-19, 21-10. This result handed Canada an early advantage, putting the Indian team on the back foot at the start of the tie.

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Sat-Chi Rocks & Roll

India responded to the setback with immediate intensity, as the seasoned duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty restored balance to the contest. They delivered a commanding performance against Jonathan Bing Tsan Lai and Kevin Lee, racing to a 21-10, 21-11 victory in under 30 minutes to level the match at 1-1.

Ayush Shetty wins in style

With the momentum shifting, 20-year-old Ayush Shetty seized the opportunity to put India ahead. The young shuttler showcased his skill and composure by outclassing World No. 33 Brian Yang in a 39-minute match, winning 21-13, 21-17. This crucial victory provided India with a 2-1 lead, effectively turning the tide in their favor for the remainder of the tie.

India continued to build on their momentum as the second doubles pair, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun, effectively clinched the tie. They delivered a dominant 21-7, 21-15 victory over Ty Alexander Lindeman and Nyl Yakura, ensuring an unassailable lead for the team.

With the outcome already secured, veteran shuttler Kidambi Srikanth added a final flourish to the scoreline. He defeated Joshua Nguyen in straight games, 21-17, 21-12, capping off a commanding team comeback following their early setback in the opening match. Overall, it was a clinical and composed display from the Indian side, highlighting their depth and ability to recover quickly across both singles and doubles disciplines. Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team is preparing to open their campaign in the corresponding tournament later today, where they are set to face Denmark.