3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Apr 24, 2026 04:09 PM IST
Both of India’s doubles combinations Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, as well as Hariharan Amsakarunan pairing with MR Arjun wrapped up two points for India under 30 minutes each. Ayush Shetty stubbed out Brian Yang 21-13, 21-17 to complete a 3-1 tie win over Canada, with Kidambi Srikanth to play Joshua Nguyen.
After India started horrendously against Canada as Victor Lai put up the expected resistance to Lakshya Sen, and exacted revenge for the All England semifinals defeat, Satwik-Chirag settled the nerves. Defeating Jonathan Bing Tsan Lai and Kevin Lee, 21-10, 21-11 in 29 minutes, they had parity restored. Later, Hari-Arjun were even more clinical defeating Alexander Ty-Yakura Nyl 21-7, 21-15 in 27 minutes. Arjun’s return to his old smashing, more aggressive self boded well for India. Having partnered Chirag Shetty in juniors, and Dhruv Kapila at the last Thomas Cup, Arjun has battled injuries and shuffling of partners. Hari has helped well with his senior, six years older, and the duo have reached World No 34, and even if India’s second doubles is not considered their strongest suit, wins could help the Indian cause and allow Satwik-Chirag to play freely.
FILE: Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen in action. (Express Photo | Abhinav Saha)
Ayush Shetty, however, looked in great touch, defeating Brian Yang without any jumpy nerves. It was important given India faced a scare when Lakshya Sen went down to Victory Lai, always a tricky opponent.
A flashy, fancy backhand pirouette jump flick from Sen landed in the net underwhelmingly midway through first set, and was an early indicator that India might start with a stutter against Canada. The tie could’ve hung on the North American team’s first two singles. But Sen had taken his first set lead to win the opener 21-18 using his net drops. However, when Lai pulled back from 14-18 to 18-19, it was apparent, that the compulsive retriever won’t be shrugged off easily.
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Sen once again got into the high work rate – low returns style, where he allows games to drift into deciders. The Indian trailed 2-7 in the second and was 7-12 down around the interval. Sen did well to level at 12, but was two steps behind as Lai increased his attacking speed holding onto the lead dearly. Sen scrambled to make it 19-all, but Lai was not to be denied a decider.
The Indian was nowhere in the third set, sluggish and dragging his feet, and the Canadian had his revenge after losing at Birmingham. Four years ago, India had faced off against a much weaker Canada, with Priyanshu Rajawat downing Lai easily in third singles. But he has since risen to Top 20 and is a formidable opponent.
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