Thomas Cup 2024: Sen, Satwik-Chirag star as defending champions India beat Thailand 4-1
The highly anticipated Thomas Cup 2024 got underway in Chengdu, China. Defending champions, India took on Thailand in their opening tie and started their campaign in almost perfect fashion, winning 4-1.
Fielding the same team that clinched the title two years ago, Indian shuttlers looked poised to retain the prestigious Thomas Cup. India’s men’s singles trio of HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and Kidambi Srikanth were in action in the tie against Thailand, alongside the doubles pairs of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and M.R. Arjun and Dhruv Kapila.
The opening match saw India’s highest-ranked men’s singles shuttler take on Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Despite a valiant effort, Prannoy, who has been struggling to find his form, recently succumbed to Vitidsarn in straight games with a scoreline of 20-22, 14-21.
The World No. 3 duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty took to the court for India in the first doubles fixture against Thailand's Peeratchai Sukphan. In a thrilling contest that went the distance, the Indian duo emerged victorious after a hard-fought three-set battle. They won the match with a score of 21-19, 19-21, 21-12.
With the tie level at 1-1, India’s Lakshya Sen took on Thailand's Panitchaphon in the second singles match. Like the doubles, the match went to the decider, where Sen ultimately triumphed 21-12, 19-21, 21-16, giving India the lead.
In the second doubles, M.R. Arjun and Dhruv Kapila beat Tanadon Punpanich and Wachirawit Sothon with a scoreline of 21-19, 21-15.
Kidambi Srikanth wrapped up the tie for India by beating Saran Jamsri in a convincing 21-19, 21-5 win.
India, who are part of Group C alongside the finalists from the last edition, Indonesia, badminton powerhouse Thailand, and England, will take on England on April 29 before facing off against Indonesia on May 1.
India's Thomas Cup 2024 results at the end of Day 1:
Men’s Singles 1
HS Prannoy (India) lost to Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand) 20-22, 14-21
Men's Doubles 1
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (India) beat Peeratchai Sukphan (Thailand) 21-19, 19-21, 21-12
Men's Singles 2
Lakshya Sen (India) beat Panitchaphon (Thailand) 21-12, 19-21, 21-16
Men's Doubles 2
M. R. Arjun/Dhruv Kapila (India) beat Tanadon Punpanich/Wachirawit Sothon 21-19, 21-15
Men's Singles 3
Kidambi Srikanth (India) beat Saran Jamsri 21-19, 21-5