India eye Thomas Cup title defence
Star singles players will aim for a consistent run as Indian men embark on a tough journey of defending their title at the Thomas Cup, while a young women’s team, sans PV Sindhu, will look to punch above its weight when it begins its campaign in Uber Cup here on Saturday.
Just two years ago, India had sent shockwaves across the badminton world when they clinched their maiden Thomas Cup crown, considered the team world championship for men.
Without the burden of expectations, India went on to dismantle the world’s best teams to script an unprecedented chapter in the history of the sport.
However, the underdog tag won’t be there this time. India have been put in the ‘Group of Death’, featuring multiple-time winners Indonesia, Thailand and England in Group C.
Indian men will begin their campaign against Thailand, who boost of reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and young Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul.
But the most formidable will be third-seeded Indonesia, who have the likes of Jonatan Christie
and Anthony Ginting — the two played the finals of All England in March — and world No. 7 pair of Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Fajar Alfian.
“It will be tough this year. Based on current form, there are lots of teams with three strong singles and two doubles (players) like China, Denmark, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Indonesia,” HS Prannoy told PTI.
A lot can happen in two years’ time and none of the Indian players coming to China this week are the same.
Prannoy, who had delivered the goods under pressure in the deciding fifth singles, is coming into the tournament after struggling in the first half of the season, owing to a chronic stomach disorder which returned after troubling him in the past.
His 90-minute marathon battle en route to a morale-boosting win over China’s Lu Guang Zu, however, showed he is close to recovery and will carry the onus of giving the team a good start as he is the top-ranked singles player at world No. 9 now.
Lakshya Sen has found his mojo just in time with successive semifinal finishes at the French Open and the All England Championships after enduring a difficult 2023 and early 2024.