Lakshya Sen ruled out of Thomas Cup semifinal with elbow injury, India face France without key player

Key facts

• Lakshya Sen injured his right elbow during a quarterfinal match against Chou Tien Chen on Friday.
• He saved two match points to win 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 in 1 hour 28 minutes.
• Badminton Association of India Secretary Sanjay Mishra confirmed the injury and said it is a precautionary measure.
• Kidambi Srikanth, who won six matches in India's 2022 title run, will play second singles against Alex Lanier.
• Ayush Shetty will face world No. 4 Christo Popov in the opening singles.
• HS Prannoy will play third singles against Toma Junior Popov, who leads 1-0 in head-to-head.
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, world No. 4 pair, will face the Popov brothers in second doubles.
• Lakshya also has blisters on his feet, according to former coach Vimal Kumar.

Injury sidelines Lakshya Sen ahead of semifinal

India's Thomas Cup title defence suffered a significant blow on Saturday as Lakshya Sen was ruled out of the semifinal against France due to a swollen right elbow. The 24-year-old Commonwealth Games champion sustained the injury during an intense quarterfinal victory over world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen on Friday. Badminton Association of India (BAI) General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said in a statement that Lakshya's elbow was impacted after multiple dives in the marathon match. The decision to rest him was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure he is fit for a potential final. "Lakshya sustained an impact to his elbow following an intense quarterfinal match that involved multiple dives. Following a thorough evaluation by the team's medical staff, the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to allow Lakshya adequate recovery time and ensure he is in optimal condition for the final, should India progress," Mishra said.

Quarterfinal heroics come at a cost

Lakshya Sen produced a stunning comeback in the quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei, saving two match points to defeat Chou Tien Chen 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 in a match lasting one hour and 28 minutes. His victory helped India secure a commanding 3-0 win and a spot in the semifinals. However, the physical toll of the match became evident when Lakshya hurt his elbow while diving for a shot during an intense rally. Former India coach Vimal Kumar told PTI that Lakshya is also struggling with blisters on his feet, compounding his physical challenges. Mishra confirmed that Lakshya is under close medical observation and receiving all necessary support. "The team remains confident and optimistic about his swift recovery and return to peak form," he added.

India reshuffles lineup for France clash

With Lakshya unavailable, India has been forced to reshuffle its lineup for the semifinal against France on Saturday night. Young Ayush Shetty will play the opening singles against world No. 4 Christo Popov, who defeated Shetty in their only previous meeting at the Hylo Open in 2024. Kidambi Srikanth, world No. 30 and a key player in India's 2022 title run with six match wins, will feature in the second singles against world No. 10 Alex Lanier. HS Prannoy, who has delivered consistently as the third singles player, will take on world No. 17 Toma Junior Popov, who holds a 1-0 head-to-head record after beating Prannoy at the All England Championships in 2025. Mishra expressed confidence in the team's depth: "I don't think it is a setback, we have a good team, everyone is confident and if we can pull this match, hopefully Lakshya will be available for the final."

Doubles pairings set for potential deciders

If the tie extends beyond the singles matches, India's doubles pairs are ready to step in. Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun are slated to face Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi in the first doubles. In the concluding match, the world No. 4 pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will take on the Popov brothers, Christo and Toma Junior. Under tournament regulations, ties generally follow player rankings, with the highest-ranked singles and doubles players from each team facing their counterparts. However, if players are scheduled to compete in both singles and doubles, they must complete their singles matches before pairing up in doubles. In France's case, this means all three singles matches will be played first, followed by the doubles.

India's title defence hinges on depth and recovery

India won the Thomas Cup for the first time in 2022, a historic triumph that marked a turning point for Indian badminton. Lakshya Sen played a crucial role in that campaign, and his absence now tests the team's depth. Srikanth's experience in high-pressure matches, Prannoy's reliability, and the strong doubles pairings give India a fighting chance against a formidable French team. France's lineup includes world No. 4 Christo Popov and world No. 10 Alex Lanier, both capable of challenging India's best. Mishra remains optimistic about Lakshya's return for the final if India progresses. The team's medical staff is monitoring his condition closely, and the decision to rest him was made with the bigger picture in mind.

Outlook: India's path to a second title

The semifinal against France is a critical test for India's title defence. A win would set up a potential final against either Denmark or Indonesia, both traditional powerhouses in badminton. Lakshya's availability for the final remains uncertain, but the team is preparing for all scenarios. India's depth in singles and doubles gives them flexibility, but the loss of a player of Lakshya's calibre cannot be understated. The match against France will reveal whether India's bench strength can compensate for the absence of their star player. The outcome will also determine if Lakshya's gamble to play through pain in the quarterfinals pays off in the long run.

The bottom line

• Lakshya Sen is out of the Thomas Cup semifinal with a swollen right elbow and blisters on his feet.
• He saved two match points to win a marathon quarterfinal against Chou Tien Chen, which led to the injury.
• India's lineup for the semifinal features Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy in singles.
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are set to play the Popov brothers in doubles if needed.
• India hopes Lakshya will recover in time for a potential final, but his condition is being monitored.
• The team's depth will be tested against a strong French side led by world No. 4 Christo Popov.