India vs France live streaming: All you need to know about Thomas Cup semis

Thomas Cup 2026 semi-finals: India can contain their work lower out on Saturday, Can also 2, as they clutch on giant-killers France within the semi-final of the Thomas Cup 2026. With a sturdy singles line-up, France can be up for the take a look at but India will as soon as extra bank on Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty and Satwik-Chirag to step up and bid the salvage.

India are assured of a medal at Thomas Cup (Courtesy: Getty)

When the Thomas Cup quarterfinal between India and Chinese language Taipei got underway in Horsens, which that you simply need to well sense barely of rigidity amongst the Indian contingent. Since their historical triumph in 2022, India has never made it previous the final 8 stage of the occasion.

And there was a acquainted sinking feeling as we reached a needed juncture of the match between Lakshya Sen and Chou Tien-chen because the Indian ace was looking at defeat, down by two match components in game two. Match ample to originate it to the climax of an Indian sports bollywood movie, Lakshya conjured strength from the badminton gods to spark a comeback, and this proved to be the template adopted within the following two video games.

THOMAS CUP: INDIA vs FRANCE LIVE UPDATES

The semi-final between India and France is scheduled to originate up no earlier than 9:30 pm IST (6 pm local time). Reside streaming can be accessible on JioHotstar, whereas tv protection can be broadcast on Necessary person Sports.

Satwik-Chirag earned a onerous-fought three-game salvage in opposition to Chinese language Taipei’s top doubles personnel of Chiu Hsiang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin. Then it was the likelihood of the star boy of Indian badminton, Ayush Shetty to step up.

The Asian Championships silver medallist took down the All England champion in straight video games, overcoming a 10-12 deficit. This ended the four-365 days wait to originate it to the semi-finals however the job is rarely genuinely done. Infact, it’s miles from it.

Standing up in opposition to them is France. No longer reasonably a couple of of us expected them to originate it to the semi-finals, but right here they’re, upsetting the percentages and exhibiting no regard for recognition.

Their finest salvage got right here of their Team D reach throughout in opposition to 14-time champions Indonesia as they beat them 4-1. This was adopted up with a 3-0 drubbing of 2014 champions Japan on Friday, to reach their maiden Thomas Cup semi-final and guarantee themselves a medal.

A salvage will gaze India reach the summit conflict for the first time since their historical salvage in 2022 and moreover they are going to be up in opposition to China or Denmark on Sunday, Can also 3.

INDIA VS FRANCE LINE-UP (World ranking in brackets)

• Ayush Shetty (18) vs Christo Popov (4) – 9:30 PM IST
• Alex Lanier (10) vs Kidambi Srikkanth (30) – No longer earlier than 10:30 PM IST
• Toma Jr. Popov (17) vs HS Prannoy (35) – No longer earlier than 11:10 PM IST
• Eloi Adam/Leo Rossi (52) vs Hariharan Amsakarunnan/M.R. Arjun (34) – No longer earlier than 12 am IST
• Christo/Toma Jr. Popov (21) vs Satwik-Chirag (4) – No longer earlier than 12:50 am IST

THOMAS CUP SEMI-FINAL: PREDICTION

The India vs France match is anticipated to be a factual 50-50 fight on Saturday. The strength for the French aspect can be the depth they’ve within the singles division.

Christo Popov is ranked No.4 on the earth and ought to handbook the French topic. He’ll contain Alex Lanier for firm and the World No.10 is anticipated to illustrate to be a stern take a look at for the Indian shuttlers.

Toma Jr. Popov is the third substantial title, and his experience can be key. What France did in opposition to Japan was to substantiate the doubles contests weren’t wanted. But that aren’t the case in the case of Saturday

Lakshya, Ayush and Kiran George are aware of the matter from Popovs, having educated with them within the dash-as a lot as the Paris Olympics.

With the originate that Ayush is in for the time being, the rankings don’t genuinely matter for them and nor attain the substantial-title recognition. Popov has obtained the ideal match between the two but query the Indian ace to topic the World No.4.

With Lakshya not being a section of the lineup, this would be time for Srikkanth to step up for the sport and salvage the salvage. Same can even be acknowledged about HS Prannoy, who will clutch Toma Jr. and look to salvage revenge on him for the loss he got throughout their 2025 All England Originate conflict.

If France gets pulled into the deep conclude of the doubles ties, then they are going to contain the Popovs competing within the final tie. There, India will merit their trump cards, Satwik-Chirag spicy. The Indian duo contain overwhelmed the Popov brothers twice throughout their old encounters.

With the quarterfinals, semis and final being played on consecutive days, the ideal major disaster appears to be like to be to be fatigue and player restoration. If all facets are in a position to conquer this, then query a fight for the ages.

“We believe that we can go all the way. It’s always been like this. We have a solid team and everyone believes that we can do it,” Ayush suggested PTI after the salvage.

India can be hoping that his phrases flip out to be gold and moreover they’ll originate the final one extra time and topic for the crown.

– Ends