India’s men’s singles star Lakshya Sen will miss Saturday’s semi‑final tie against France in the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 after sustaining an elbow injury during his quarterfinal heroics against Chou Tien Chen. Team officials said the decision was precautionary, aimed at ensuring Sen’s recovery for a possible final appearance should India progress. Sen, ranked world no. 6, had given India a winning start in the quarterfinals with a thrilling three‑game victory, saving two match points before clinching the decider. His absence is a setback, but the team remains optimistic about his swift return to peak form.
India’s depth shone in the quarterfinals as Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured a clinical doubles win, followed by Ayush Shetty’s straight‑games triumph over reigning All England champion Lin Chun‑Yi. The 2022 champions swept Chinese Taipei 3‑0 to reach the semis, underlining their strength across singles and doubles. With Sen sidelined, India will rely on its rising stars and experienced doubles pair to carry momentum forward against France, as the team eyes a place in the final and a chance to reclaim continental glory.