In the opening game of Group C of the Thomas Cup, which took place on Saturday in Chengdu, China, the Indian men’s badminton team defeated Thailand 4-1. While HS Prannoy was defeated in the opening game, India’s outstanding victories were achieved by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Kidambi Srikanth, MR Arjun, Chirag Shetty, and Lakshya Sen.
HS Prannoy and Kunlavut Vitidsarn squared off in the first game. With scores of 20–22 and 14–21, Vitidsarn defeated Prannoy, giving Thailand an early advantage. But Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the potent Indian team, quickly turned the tide, winning 21-19, 19-21, and 21-12 in their doubles match against Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul.
India jumped ahead 2-1 as gold medallist Lakshya Sen of the Commonwealth Games defeated Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul in a fiercely contested match, winning 21-12, 19-21, 21-16.
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Then, with a score of 21-19, 21-15, the pair of M R Arjun and Dhruv Kapila gave India a vital victory over Tanadon Punpanich and Wachirawit Sothon. Finally, Kidambi Srikanth put on a dominant display to seal the victory for India, easily defeating Saran Jamsri 21-9, 21-5 in less than half an hour.