India outclass Chinese Taipei to storm into Thomas Cup 2026 semifinals, assure themselves of a medal
India produced one of their finest team performances of the tournament to blank Chinese Taipei 3-0 and storm into the semifinals of the Thomas Cup 2026 in Horsens, Denmark, on Friday.
The emphatic quarterfinal victory not only sealed India’s place in the last four but also guaranteed the former champions a medal at the prestigious biennial event. The 2022 champions rose to the occasion against a higher-ranked Chinese Taipei side, with Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, and Ayush Shetty all delivering under pressure in a flawless outing for the Indian men’s team.
India will now face either Japan or France in the semifinals as they attempt to move one step closer to a second Thomas Cup title in four years.
The tie began with a high-quality battle between world No. 6 Lakshya Sen and veteran Chinese Taipei star Chou Tien Chen, and it lived up to expectations. Coming into the contest with the head-to-head tied at 4-4, both players pushed each other to the limit in a tense encounter lasting one hour and 28 minutes. Chou struck first by taking the opening game 21-18 after recovering brilliantly from a 10-15 deficit. The experienced Taiwanese shuttler slowed the rallies down effectively and forced Lakshya into a series of errors late in the game.
The second game proved even more dramatic.
Lakshya trailed 14-17 and later faced two match points, with Chou appearing on the verge of sealing the contest. However, the Indian fought back courageously, showing remarkable composure in the pressure moments. He attacked more aggressively at the net, tightened his defence, and eventually edged the game 22-20 to force a decider. The momentum shifted noticeably after that comeback.
Lakshya carried the energy into the third game and maintained a slight lead for most of the decider. His attacking intent and improved control from the forecourt kept Chou under constant pressure. Despite the Taiwanese veteran’s efforts to stay in touch, Lakshya closed out the third game 21-17 to give India a crucial 1-0 lead. It was a statement performance from the two-time All England finalist, who once again showed his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
Satwik-Chirag dominate decider
India’s premier men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then stepped onto court with an opportunity to put India firmly in command. Facing Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Olympic gold medallist Wang Chi-Lin, the Indian duo had to work extremely hard early in the contest. The opening game was fiercely contested, with Satwik and Chirag forced to save two game points before eventually edging it 23-21. Their aggressive interceptions and attacking returns helped them survive the crucial moments.
Chinese Taipei responded strongly in the second game, tightening their defence and forcing the Indians into longer rallies. Chiu and Wang managed to edge the game 21-19 and take the match into a decider. However, the Indian pair completely raised their level in the third game. Satwik’s attacking power combined with Chirag’s sharp movement at the net overwhelmed the Taipei duo. The Indians raced through the decider 21-12, controlling the rallies almost entirely and securing their third consecutive victory over the same opposition.
The victory handed India a commanding 2-0 lead and left the team just one match away from the semifinals.
With the pressure of closing out the tie resting on his shoulders, 20-year-old Ayush Shetty once again displayed maturity far beyond his age. The young Indian, who had already impressed throughout the group stage, faced reigning All England champion Lin Chun-Yi in the third singles match. Despite the stature of the opponent, Ayush showed absolutely no signs of nerves.
After trailing 10-12 in the opening game, the Indian launched a remarkable comeback, winning seven consecutive points to take complete control of the contest. His steep smashes and calm rally construction consistently troubled Lin, allowing him to close out the first game 21-16. Ayush continued to dictate the pace in the second game. While Lin attempted to increase the tempo and attack more aggressively, Ayush remained composed and disciplined from the baseline. The Indian maintained his advantage throughout the game before sealing a 21-17 victory in just 48 minutes.
As the winning point landed on the Taipei side of the court, celebrations erupted in the Indian camp. Ayush’s straight-games victory completed a stunning 3-0 triumph for India and underlined his rapid emergence as one of the country’s brightest badminton prospects.
The quarterfinal victory highlighted the growing depth and confidence within the Indian men’s setup. Lakshya delivered in a pressure singles battle, Satwik and Chirag once again proved why they remain among the world’s elite doubles pairs, while Ayush continued his outstanding breakthrough tournament with another composed performance against top opposition. Importantly, India secured the tie without needing fourth or fifth matches, reflecting the authority with which they handled one of Asia’s strongest badminton nations. After finishing second in Group A behind defending champions China, India entered the knockout stage knowing they would need to raise their level against Chinese Taipei. On Friday, they did exactly that.
Now, with another Thomas Cup medal guaranteed, India’s focus shifts towards the semifinals. With momentum, confidence, and multiple players in strong form, the 2022 champions will believe they are capable of making another serious push for the title in Horsens.
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