Lakshya Sen Expresses Disappointment Over Missing Thomas Cup Semifinal

Lakshya Sen, India's leading badminton player, expressed his deep disappointment over missing the Thomas Cup 2026 semifinal against France due to an elbow injury. Despite his strong desire to compete, he was sidelined, leading to India's 0-3 defeat. In a media interaction, Lakshya shared the emotional toll of watching from the sidelines as his teammates struggled against a formidable French side. The loss marked the end of India's hopes to reclaim the title they won in 2022, leaving them with a bronze medal. This article delves into Lakshya's reflections on the match and the challenges faced by the Indian team during the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 6, 2026, 02:18 IST

Lakshya Sen's Heartfelt Reflection on Missing the Semifinal

New Delhi, May 5: Lakshya Sen, India's top-ranked badminton player, opened up about the emotional challenge of missing the Thomas Cup 2026 semifinal against France. Despite his strong desire to compete, he was sidelined due to an elbow injury sustained during his quarterfinal match against Chinese Taipei.

India faced a tough defeat, losing 0-3 to France in the semifinals held in Horsens, Denmark, which dashed their hopes of reclaiming the title they had won in 2022, ultimately settling for a bronze medal in this edition.

Before the semifinal commenced, Lakshya's absence was felt as he was unable to participate. He expressed his frustration during a media session organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), stating that it was incredibly hard to watch the match unfold from the sidelines. His coaches and physiotherapists advised him against playing, which made the decision even more challenging.

"It was very difficult. I wanted to play until the very end, but my coaches and physios insisted that I couldn't. Watching France win from the sidelines was painful, and I really wanted to be out there competing," Lakshya shared.

In the quarterfinals, Lakshya had previously triumphed over the higher-ranked Chou Tien Chen in a thrilling match that lasted over an hour, showcasing his resilience and skill.

During the semifinal against France, Ayush Shetty struggled against world No. 4 Christo Popov, who dominated the match, winning 21-11, 21-9. Veteran player Kidambi Srikanth also faced defeat in his singles match against Alex Lanier, despite a more competitive performance.

With India trailing 0-2, HS Prannoy took to the court against Toma Junior Popov. The first game was closely contested, but Popov's late surge secured him the win. The second game saw Popov maintain his momentum, leading to a 21-16 victory and sealing a 3-0 win for France, ending India's campaign.