‘Lakshya’s absence was felt,’ says Vimal Kumar as France sweep India 3-0 to end Thomas Cup campaign
India settle for bronze after a 0-3 semifinal loss to France in the Thomas Cup, with Vimal Kumar saying Lakshya Sen’s absence was crucial.
Boosting India’s ambitions on the global badminton stage, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has stepped in with Rs 1.45 crore in support for the upcoming BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, scheduled in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3.
A 34-member Indian contingent, comprising 20 players, five coaches, and nine support staff, will travel for the prestigious team championships. The squad features top shuttlers including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, along with several emerging players from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core and Development groups.
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India’s men have been placed in Group C alongside Canada, Australia, and China in the Thomas Cup, while the women’s team will compete against Denmark, Ukraine, and China in the Uber Cup.
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The financial assistance, approved under the TOPS programme, covers airfare, accommodation, visa charges, accreditation, daily allowances, insurance, food, and other logistical expenses for the entire contingent. SAI has also ensured a comprehensive support setup, with specialised coaches, physiotherapists, trainers, and masseurs accompanying the teams.
India enters the competition with strong momentum, having created history in 2022 by winning the Thomas Cup for the first time after defeating Indonesia in the final, marking a breakthrough moment for Indian badminton on the global stage.
The 2026 edition carries added significance as badminton will not feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Looking ahead, India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, where the sport is expected to play a key role.
India squads:
Thomas Cup: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, Kiran George, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, MR Arjun, Dhruv Kapila
Uber Cup: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Devika Sihag, Gayatri Gopichand, Treesa Jolly, S Kavipriya, Simran Singhi, Tanisha Crasto
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