Thomas & Uber Cup LIVE: Focus will be on double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and World Championships bronze winner Lakshya Sen as the Indian badminton contingent resumes its quest for a medal at the Thomas and Uber Cup Final beginning here on Sunday. Indian men’s team will begin its campaign on Sunday by taking on Germany, while the women will face Canada. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates.
Also read: Thomas Cup 2022: Lakshya-Srikanth STARRER Indian men’s badminton team FAVOURITES to win Thomas Cup
Thomas & Uber Cup LIVE: PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen lead India’s quest for medal at Thomas and Uber Cup Final – Follow Thomas & Uber Cup LIVE updates
Indian men’s team is placed in Group C in the Thomas Cup along with Germany, Chinese Taipei and Canada, while the women find themselves in Group D that has South Korea, Canada and USA.
No Indian men’s team has ever won a medal in the Thomas Cup, having failed to reach the semifinal even once. But the women had two semifinal finishes in successive editions of the Uber Cup to clinch two bronze medals in 2014 and 2016.
Last year, both the men’s and women’s teams signed off their campaigns at the quarterfinal stage.
India men’s squad
This time, India boasts of a strong men’s team comprising world number 9 Sen, world number 11 Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, ranked 23rd in the world, in singles.
The doubles will be led by world number 9 pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, while the combination of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila, and that of Krishna Prasad Garaga and Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala are also part of the team.
Given a robust team and a favourable draw, Indian men will look to make the golden opportunity count as they open campaign against Germany in group C which also comprises Chinese Taipei and Canada.
Of all the group C members, Indian men will face the toughest competition from Chinese Taipei, who boasts of world number 4 Chou Tien Chen, besides the world number 3 doubles pairing of Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin.
India Women’s Squad
The women’s team is weakened following the withdrawals of key players and the team also misses experienced Saina Nehwal, who has been omitted from the squad. Experienced doubles pair of N Sikki Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa and fast-rising Gayatri Gopichand miss out due to injuries.
Sikki Reddy suffered an abdominal injury, while Gayatri Gopichand has been advised rest following a hip injury. In their absence, the onus will be on the shoulders of upcoming doubles players such as Tanisha Crasto, Shruti Mishra, Simran Singhi, Ritika Thaker and Treesa Jolly.
Also Read: Thomas Uber Cup live streaming: When, where & how to watch in your country, India
In the women’s singles, world number 7 Sindhu will have to do the heavy lifting as the other singles players Aakarshi Kashyap, Ashmitha Chaliha and young Unnati Hooda lack experience but will look to produce a good show. They had made it to the squad following a rigorous selection trial.
With some key players missing, it will be tough for the women’s team to get past group D members South Korea, Canada and United States and win a medal.
For women, Korea will be a tough competitor, boasting of world number 4 An Seyoung, world number 19 Kim Gaeun and world number 46 Sim Yujin, while Michelle Li is the top player for Canada, who might prove to be a tricky customer.
The Format
According to the format, a total of 16 teams have been drawn into four groups of four with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Defending champion Indonesia are the most successful team in the Thomas Cup with 14 men’s titles, while China has 15 Uber Cup crowns in their kitty.
“We have the best chance to win Thomas Cup this time. We have three decent singles and one doubles pair at par with the best and we just have to make sure that they are all pumped up, all of them are capable of beating the best,” former India coach Vimal Kumar told PTI.
“I can understand, it is difficult for the women’s team but the men’s team has a good chance, ” he added.
Where to watch Thomas & Uber Cup LIVE streaming?
Reliance Viacom’s new sports channel Sports 18 will be the official broadcasters of Thomas & Uber Cup 2022. Fans in India can also watch the tournament LIVE on Voot Select. The LIVE streaming is also expected to be available on BWF’s official YouTube Channel, BWF TV.
Thomas & Uber Cup 2022 LIVE: PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen lead India’s quest for medal at Thomas and Uber Cup Final – Follow Thomas & Uber Cup LIVE updates
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