New Delhi: India faced a challenging start against China in their final Group A encounter at the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, slipping to a 0-2 deficit after two closely fought matches. Despite spirited performances, both Lakshya Sen and the doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were unable to convert crucial moments in their favor.
Lakshya, who entered the contest with strong recent form, pushed China’s Li Shi Feng in a gripping opening singles match. The Indian shuttler showed resilience after narrowly losing the first game, dominating the second with aggressive play and forcing a decider. However, a series of unforced errors in the final game allowed Li to regain control and secure victory, leaving India trailing early in the tie.
Hopes of a comeback rested on the experienced doubles pairing of Satwik and Chirag, but they too fell short in a dramatic three-game contest against Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang. After losing the opening game, the Indian pair responded strongly to level the match, displaying sharp net play and improved coordination. The deciding game turned into a tense battle, with both sides exchanging leads and saving multiple match points.
The Indians showed remarkable fight by saving five match points, but were unable to capitalize on their own opportunities under pressure. Eventually, the Chinese pair held their nerve in the closing stages to clinch the match, extending their team’s advantage.
With India trailing 0-2, the responsibility shifted to the remaining players to keep the contest alive. Ayush Shetty was set to take on Weng Hong Yang in a must-win clash, while the doubles combination of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun, along with HS Prannoy, were also tasked with turning the tide.
Although the scoreline favored China, the narrow margins in both matches reflected the intensity of the contest. India’s players demonstrated strong resistance, but missed chances at key junctures proved costly in a high-pressure team event.
