2 min readMay 1, 2026 10:29 AM IST
India have rotated their third singles players through this Thomas Cup, and it falls on Kidambi Srikanth to fend off Chi Yu-Jen in the decisive fifth rubber, unless the quarterfinals tie against Chinese Taipei is sealed before that. The duo have never met in the past on the Tour, but Srikanth’s rested fitness and recent solidity might have played a part in him preferred over HS Prannoy.
As such, it will be up to India’s first singles Lakshya Sen to set the tone against a familiar opponent in Taiwan’s talismanic shuttler, 36 year old, World No 6, Chou Tien Chen. Sen has beaten him at big occasions, but a Thomas Cup could be a different set of pressures owing to pride, for both players.
Taiwan’s doubles might be its strong suit, but Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty looked very close to their settled best in the humdinger against China – with 5 match points erased in the 24-26 last set.
The big pivot of the tie is the BAC rematch for Ayush Shetty against Lin Chun-Yi. Chun-Yi is yet to win at this Thomas Cup having skipped first two ties, and lost against Denmark. But Ayush will be very wary of his speedy, blitzy momentum that sweeps all in its wake.
A massive tactical recalibration from that Ningbo Asia final will be needed from Irwansyah, Vimal Kumar amd perhaps Gopichand inputs to fend off Chun-Yi, and get that one crucial point for India.
Taiwan’s doubles tend to be rock solid, but MR Arjun – Hariharan Amsakarunan will need to view this as an opportunity to play on an even keel with Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Hsuan. Breaking the Taiwanese rhythm in fast exchanges is the key.
Srikanth is on an unbeaten run at team events since Asian Team Championships. He will have Prannoy in his coaching corner to read Chi Yu-Jen, and his own assured strokes to deploy, if it comes to a 2-2.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
