India Beat Canada 4–1 in Thomas Cup, Women Lose 2–3 to Denmark

India opened their Thomas Cup 2026 campaign on a strong note while facing a setback in the Uber Cup , reflecting a mixed start for the country’s badminton squads in the prestigious team event. The men’s team registered a commanding 4–1 victory over Canada in their Group A opener, whereas the women’s side went down 2–3 to Denmark in a closely fought tie.

The men’s contest began with an early jolt as Lakshya Sen lost a gruelling three-game match to Victor Lai . However, India quickly regained control through the experienced doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty , who delivered a dominant straight-game win to level the tie. Youngster Ayush Shetty then stepped up with a composed performance to give India the lead, before the second doubles pair sealed the contest. Kidambi Srikanth added the finishing touch with a clinical win, ensuring a comprehensive result that placed India second in Group A behind China .

In the women’s competition, India’s campaign began on a competitive note but ended in disappointment. PV Sindhu put India ahead with a gritty three-game victory over Line Christophersen , showcasing her experience in crucial moments. However, Unnati Hooda narrowly lost to Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt despite a spirited fightback and saving multiple match points. Denmark capitalised on key opportunities in the remaining matches to edge past India, handing them a narrow defeat .

With the group stage underway, India’s men will next face tougher opponents in Australia and China, while the women’s team will need strong performances in upcoming ties to keep their quarter-final hopes alive .