Lakshya Sen ruled out of Thomas & Uber Cup semis with elbow injury
Synopsis
Lakshya Sen's quarterfinal heroics—a two-match-point save and a 28-minute slugfest against Chou Tien Chen—came at a cost: an elbow injury that sidelines him from Saturday's semi-final. With the World No. 6 out, India's title defence now rests on Ayush Shetty's resurgent form and its doubles firepower, as the 2022 champions chase another final berth.
Key Takeaways
Lakshya Sen ruled out of Thomas & Uber Cup semi-final against France on Saturday due to elbow injury sustained in quarterfinal.
Sen defeated Chou Tien Chen 18-21, 22-20, 21-17, saving two match points in the second game.
India defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0 in quarterfinals; Rankireddy-Shetty and Ayush Shetty also won their matches.
Ayush Shetty beat reigning All England champion Lin Chun-Yi 21-16, 21-17 in 48 minutes .
India, 2022 champions , will face Japan or France winner in semi-final without Sen.
Lakshya Sen, India's World No. 6 men's singles shuttler, has been ruled out of Saturday's semi-final clash against France in the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 in Horsens, Denmark, following an elbow injury sustained during an intense quarterfinal encounter. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed the decision as a precautionary measure to preserve Sen's fitness for a potential final appearance should India advance.
Medical decision and recovery plan
Sanjay Mishra, general secretary of the BAI, stated in an official release: "Following a thorough evaluation by the team's medical staff, the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to allow Lakshya adequate recovery time and ensure he is in optimal condition for the final, should India progress. He is currently under close medical observation and receiving all necessary support. The team remains confident and optimistic about his swift recovery and return to peak form."
Sen's quarterfinal heroics
Before the injury setback, Sen delivered a match-winning performance in the quarterfinals against Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan, clinching a 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 victory in 1 hour 28 minutes. The two-time All England Championships finalist saved two match points in the second game while trailing 14-17, demonstrating his competitive resilience. Chou had forced the contest into a decider after recovering from a 10-15 deficit in the opening game, but Sen's strong attacking play in the third sealed India's opening point.
India's dominant quarterfinal showing
Following Sen's win, the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty extended India's advantage to 2-0 with a clinical performance. Ayush Shetty, who remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, then overpowered reigning All England champion Lin Chun-Yi 21-16, 21-17 in 48 minutes, securing a commanding 3-0 whitewash of Chinese Taipei. Shetty had recovered from a 10-12 deficit in the first game by stringing together seven consecutive points, underscoring his emergence as a top-tier singles prospect.
Road to the final
India, the 2022 Thomas & Uber Cup champions, will now face the winner of the Japan versus France semi-final for a berth in the championship decider. The absence of Sen, a key component of India's mixed doubles and singles depth, places added responsibility on Shetty and the doubles combinations in the semi-final encounter.
What's at stake
The semi-final represents a critical juncture for India's title defence at the prestigious biennial championship. With Sen sidelined, the team will rely on alternative singles options and the proven consistency of its doubles units to navigate the semi-final hurdle.
Point of View
The team has historically relied on Sen as a consistent top-10 performer in mixed and men's singles. His absence against France is manageable; a deeper semi-final run without him tests whether India's doubles dominance alone can carry a title defence. The precautionary approach is medically sound, but it also signals that India's medal hopes now hinge on avoiding further injuries to an already-stretched roster.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lakshya Sen ruled out of the Thomas & Uber Cup semi-final?
Lakshya Sen has been ruled out as a precautionary measure following an elbow injury sustained during his intense quarterfinal match against Chou Tien Chen. The BAI medical staff determined that rest and recovery are necessary to preserve his fitness for a potential final appearance.
How did Lakshya Sen perform in the quarterfinal before the injury?
Sen delivered a match-winning 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 victory over Chou Tien Chen in 1 hour 28 minutes, saving two match points in the second game while trailing 14-17. His win gave India the opening point in their 3-0 quarterfinal sweep of Chinese Taipei.
Who will replace Lakshya Sen in the semi-final?
The BAI has not yet announced a replacement strategy. India will likely deploy alternative singles options or rely on its proven doubles pairs—Rankireddy-Shetty and others—to navigate the semi-final against France.
How did India perform in the quarterfinals?
India defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0. Lakshya Sen beat Chou Tien Chen, Rankireddy-Shetty won the doubles, and Ayush Shetty defeated reigning All England champion Lin Chun-Yi 21-16, 21-17 in 48 minutes.
When is India's semi-final match scheduled?
India's semi-final is scheduled for Saturday against the winner of the Japan versus France semi-final in Horsens, Denmark.
