Thomas Cup 2024: Big guns fail as India go down 1-4 to Indonesia ...

Thomas Cup 2024: Defending champions India were handed a reality check by 14-time winners Indonesia in the final Group C tie. HS Prannoy won the only singles match for India while the likes of Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth and the doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost their respective rubbers.

Sawiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty lost their singles rubber against Indonesia (AP Photo)

Defending champions India were given a wake-up call by 14-time champions Indonesia in their final Group C tie of the Thomas Cup - the prestigious team tournament in Chengdu, China. India have already secured a place in the quarterfinals, but they will finish second behind Indonesia in Group C.

India headed into the tie with a lot of confidence as they had beaten England 5-0 and Thailand 4-1 in their previous two Group C ties. However, India were comfortably outclassed by Indonesia on Wednesday, May 1.

India began the tie with Paris Olympics-bound HS Prannoy and the senior campaigner did not dissapoint as he defeated World No. 7 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 13-21, 21-12, 21-12 in a 61-minute battle. It was a terrific comeback from Prannoy, who is in desparate need for confidence in the Olympic year after having had up and down results so far in the season.

However, India allowed Indonesia to claw back as World No. 3 Satwiksairaj Rankiredy and Chirag Shetty lost to No. 7 Muhammad Fikri and Maulana Bagas in the three-game thriller that extended to 77 minutes. Satwik and Chirag lost the opening game in which 46 points were played. THe second game was no different as the Indian duo prevailed in a marathon, this time around. However, Fikri and Maulana sealed the momentum in the 3rd game and won the match 24-22, 22-24, 21-17.

India then fell behind 1-2 in the 5-match tie after Lakshya Sen lost to Jonathan Christie in another 3-game match. Lakshya fought back after losing the opening game, but he was beaten 21-18, 16-21, 21-17 by the World No. 3.

India then lost the second doubles rubber to go 1-3 down. Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin made light work of the challenge from Dhruv Kapila and Sai Pratheek 22-20, 21-11.

Experienced Kidambi Srikanth disappointed for India as he lost the final singles rubber of the tie to Chico Dwi Wardoyo 21, 19, 22-24, 14-21 in an hour and 11 minutes.

Indonesia topped the group with 3 wins in as many ties while India finished second with 2 wins in 3 ties. The two teams qualified for the quarter-final. Thailand were knocked out despite winning their last group-stage tie to England.

India women also qualified for the quarter-finals of the Uber Cup despite losing to China in Group A. India, despite PV Sindhu's absence, defeated Canada and Singapore to qualify for the knockout round.