Defending champions India lost to powerhouse Indonesia 1-4 and failed to top their group in the Thomas Cup badminton tournament here on Wednesday. (More Sports News)
Bꦜoth India and Indonesia have already qualified for the quarterfinals of the prestigious event after winning their first two matches but the latter will progress to the knockouts as Group C toppers.
The rematch of the 2022 Thomas Cup final prov𝓀ided Indonesia with a chance to exact revenge for their 0-3 loss in the title clash of the last edition to the same opponents, and they did just that on the back of a clinical display.
India number one in men's singles, HS Prannoy put theไ team ahead 1-0 after he staged a rema𓆏rkable comeback to get the better of Anthony Ginting 13-21 21-12 21-12 in the opening match.
In the first men's doubles match, the duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down to Muhammad Shohibul Fi🎶kri and Bagas Maulana, the same pair that dashed the Indian pair's hopes at the last All England Championship. Satwiksairaj and Chirag lost 22-24 24-22 21-19 as Indonesia levelled the tie at 1-1.
Lakshya Sen lost to reigning All England Championship men's singl🌟es winner Jonatan Christie 18-21 21-16 17-21. The 22-year-old Sen raised hopes when he claimed the second game with his impressive net play, but he could not get past a determined Christie in the decider.
In the fourth match, India's Dhruv Kapila and Sꦑai Pratheek lost in straight games 22-20 21-11 to fancied Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin.
In the final match, which was a 𒁏dead rubber, Kidmabi Srikanth lost to Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo. Srikanth won the opening game 21-19, but lost the second and third games 22-24 14-21 respectively.
