Lakshya Sen Reflects on Heartbreaking Thomas Cup Semifinal Absence

Lakshya Sen, India's leading badminton player, faced a heartbreaking decision to sit out the Thomas Cup 2026 semifinal against France due to an elbow injury. Despite his strong desire to compete, he had to watch as India suffered a 0-3 defeat, ending their hopes of reclaiming the title. Sen's absence was felt deeply, and he expressed the emotional toll of missing such a crucial match. Earlier, he had showcased his skills in the quarterfinals, defeating a higher-ranked opponent. The semifinal collapse against France highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian team without their star player. Read on to discover more about this gripping tournament and Sen's reflections on his experience.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 5, 2026, 21:26 IST

Lakshya Sen's Tough Decision

Lakshya Sen, India's top badminton player, expressed the emotional struggle of missing the Thomas Cup 2026 semifinal against France. Despite his strong desire to compete, he had to watch from the sidelines due to an elbow injury sustained during his quarterfinal match against Chinese Taipei.

India's Semifinal Setback

In the semifinal held in Horsens, Denmark, India faced a disappointing 0-3 defeat against France, ending their hopes of reclaiming the title they had won in 2022. The absence of Sen, who was a key player, significantly affected the team's performance.

Sen's Painful Experience

During a media session organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Sen shared how difficult it was to miss the match. He stated, "I wanted to play really badly, but my coaches and physios advised against it. Watching France win was painful, and it was a tough decision for me to sit out."

Quarterfinal Triumph

Earlier, in the quarterfinals against Chinese Taipei, Sen delivered an impressive performance, defeating the higher-ranked Chou Tien Chen in a thrilling match that lasted 1 hour and 28 minutes. The match showcased Sen's resilience as he overcame significant deficits to secure a crucial point for India.

Semifinal Collapse Against France

In the semifinal, Ayush Shetty faced a challenging match against world No. 4 Christo Popov, who dominated with a score of 21-11, 21-9. Veteran player Kidambi Srikanth also struggled against Alex Lanier, losing 21-16, 21-18. With India trailing 0-2, HS Prannoy fought hard against Toma Junior Popov but ultimately lost 21-19, 21-16, sealing India's fate in the tournament.