India put on a dominant display at the ongoing Thomas Cup 2026, where they defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0 to storm into the semifinals. India will now face the winner of France and Japan. Lakshya Sen led the team by defeating World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen, followed by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeating Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-lin, and finally, Ayush Shetty sealed the deal for India by edging Lin Chun-Yi. With this, India has become the second team after China to reach the semifinals of the tournament.
With momentum firmly on their side, India will now face the winner of the clash between France and Japan in the semifinals.
Also Read: Thomas Cup quarterfinals: Lakshya Sen outwits World No. 6 Chou Tien Chen, India leads 1-0
Lakshya Sen sets the tone with an opening win
Lakshya Sen gave India the perfect start by overcoming world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen in the opening singles. The Indian shuttler controlled the match with aggressive play and composure under pressure, handing India a crucial early lead.
His victory laid the foundation for India’s dominance in the tie and shifted the pressure firmly onto Chinese Taipei in the second round.
Satwik-Chirag extend lead with commanding display
The doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continued India’s momentum with a hard-fought win over Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-lin. combination. After a tightly contested battle, the Indian duo sealed the match 23-21, 19-21, 21-12.
The decisive third game showcased their superiority, as they raised their level to dominate proceedings and hand India a 2-0 advantage in the tie.
Ayush Shetty seals emphatic victory
20 year old Ayush Shetty completed the clean sweep with an impressive win over Lin Chun-Yi. The 20-year-old displayed resilience, staging a strong comeback from 7-11 down in the first game to win 21-16.
He maintained control in the second game to close out the match 21-17, sealing India’s 3-0 victory and confirming their place in the semifinals.
India carry strong momentum forward
The comprehensive win highlights India’s depth and form heading into the final stages of the tournament. With key players delivering under pressure, the team now looks well-positioned to challenge for the title.