The Indian men’s badminton team faces a tough fixture against hosts China in the quarterfinals of the Thomas Cup in Chengdu on Thursday.
India, who are the defending champions, could not top their group as they lost their match against Indonesia 4-1 on Wednesday. Both teams had earlier confirmed their quarterfinal spots after winning their opening two matches. India had beaten Thailand and England in their previous two group matches.
Against Indonesia, India number one in men’s singles, HS Prannoy put the team ahead 1-0 after he staged a remarkable comeback to get the better of Anthony Ginting 13-21, 21-12, 21-12 in the opening match.
In the first men’s doubles match, the Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down to Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Bagas Maulana 22-24 24-22 21-19, the same pair they lost to at the last All England Championship.
Later, Lakshya Sen lost to reigning All England men’s singles winner Jonatan Christie 18-21, 21-16, 17-21. Sen raised hopes when he claimed the second game with his impressive net play, but he could not get past a determined Christie in the decider.
In the fourth match, India’s Dhruv Kapila and Sai Pratheek lost in straight games 22-20, 21-11 to fancied Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin.
In the final match, Kidmabi Srikanth was defeated by Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo. Srikanth won the opening game 21-19 but lost the second and third games 22-24, 14-21 respectively.
In the Uber Cup, the Indian women’s team are playing their quarterfinal match against Japan, which will start around 2.30 PM IST.
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