India settle for bronze as France seal dominant 3-0 win in Thomas Cup semifinal clash

India’s quest to reclaim the Thomas Cup title ended in disappointment as they suffered a comprehensive 0-3 defeat to France in the semifinals, settling for a bronze medal on Saturday.

The tie turned one-sided from the start, with the absence of Lakshya Sen , who missed out due to a swollen elbow, proving a major setback. Youngster Ayush Shetty , stepping into the opening singles, struggled to cope with the pace and control of world No. 4 Christo Popov , going down in straight games as France took an early lead.

India’s hopes then rested on Kidambi Srikanth , but the experienced shuttler could not turn the tide against Alex Lanier . Despite moments of attacking play, Srikanth was undone by unforced errors and Lanier’s aggressive approach, handing France a 2-0 advantage.

With elimination looming, HS Prannoy needed to deliver, but he too fell short against Toma Junior Popov . Although Prannoy showed resilience, he was unable to break through the Frenchman’s consistency, sealing India’s fate without a single match win.

India, champions in 2022 , had already assured themselves of a medal by reaching the semifinals, adding another bronze to their history. However, the defeat exposed gaps, especially in handling high-pressure situations without key players.

Former national coach Vimal Kumar acknowledged that Lakshya’s absence was crucial , stating that France “completely overwhelmed” India.

While France marched into a historic final, becoming only the second European team to do so, India will reflect on a campaign that showed promise but ended short of expectations.