India vs France Highlights, Thomas Cup semi-final: India knocked out by France after 0-3 loss

As India walk out of the Thomas Cup, there is an unmistakable feeling in the air that France have, in many ways, pulled off an India-like run against India themselves. Back in 2022, during India’s title-winning campaign, nobody gave Kidambi Srikanth’s side much of a chance.

In 2026, not many would have bet on France to reach the final. Yet here they are, on the back of fearless youngsters who played their hearts out and made the Arena their own on this unforgettable night in Horsens.

Kingshuk Kusari writes the match report for India Today

Good nigh from us at India Today. Check out our website tomorrow morning for more reactions and interviews on Thomas Cup and other sports.

A superb French team, led by the Popov brothers reach the final of the Thomas Cup.

This is the India 2022 moment for them. Not many would have given France the chance, but the Popov brothers have led the way superbly this year, to help their country create history on Saturday, May 2.

Hard luck for India as they did not have Lakshya Sen today. Kidambi and Prannoy fought well but they did not make their chances count on the day.

Thomas Cup, India vs France: Results

Ayush Shetty 11-21, 9-21 vs Christo Popov

Kidambi Srikanth 16-21, 18-21 vs Alex Lanier

HS Prannoy 19-21, 16-21 vs Toma Popov

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HS Prannoy loses in straight sets in the third singles and with that India are knocked out.

Costly errors from Prannoy never let him stay in the reckoning and with that India lose the semi-finals.

Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy lose in straight games, which means that the doubles team did not play today.

But kudos to France for playing some top class badminton today and becoming the second European nation after Denmark to feature in the Thomas Cup final.

HS Prannoy had closed up on the lead to 2 points, but has again given it away.

Toma Popov leads 16-11 and is looking as the favourite to win this game.

India are on the brink of getting knocked out in the Thomas Cup 2026.

HS Prannoy is struggling. Unlike the first game, he has not been able to dictate the pace of the play.

At the break he trailed 6-11 and needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat to win this match against Toma Popov.

The Frenchman looks settled at the moment, and the Indian bench has gone quite.

HS Prannoy is in a must-win situation now. Not only for himself, but for India as well.

He is leading in the second game as well, but the beginning of this one is much, much closer.

HS Prannoy 4-4 Toma Popov in Game 2 of 3rd men's singles.

HS Prannoy worked so hard and led most of the game. But in a frenetic exchange of last fews points, he ends up losing that game.

Shots hit at the net, loss of control in quick exchanges, hitting the net in defence, and that leads to Prannoy losing 19-21 in the opening game of the third men's singles.

The Indian will be under intense pressure now. If Prannoy loses this game, it will be good night for India in Horsens.

China and hosts Denamrk might be playing in the other court, but all the buzz is on the India vs France's side.

This match has turned into a game of swinging momentum, and Prannoy has finally lost his lead at 15-16.

Toma Popov makes a comeback after Prannoy fails to keep the intensity.

But he takes the lead back rightaway with a thundering smash.

This is the best start that India have had all evening. Even when Prannoy has given up the 6-2 lead, this is the best start that India have had all evening.

HSP leads 11-10 against Toma Popov after a lovely show of net play and aggressive shots.

Toma Popov is constantly touching his boot. I wonder if he is cramping up.

Toma Popov makes comeback playing fast pushes. Prannoy needs to take the speed out of the rallies and focus on dictating the pace, which he usually does so well.

A sensational smash from Prannoy breaks that points streak and helps him keep a 2-point lead over Toma Popov.

The Indian camp is loudly cheering every single point.

HS Prannoy has taken a lead of 5-1 in the first game of the 3rd singles match.

Prannoy is killing the net shots with exceptional speed and Toma Popov has no answer to it at the moment.

HS Prannoy has been here before. He has played matches where he was pushed to the brink.

Prannoy needs to beat Toma Popov to keep India alive in this semi-final tie.

HS Prannoy has to win for India to stay alive in the Thomas Cup.

Ayush Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth have lost their men's singles and the weight now falls on HS Prannoy to keep India in this tie.

Prannoy is a fighter and India's hopes will be pinned on him.

Kidambi Srikanth fights hard but he loses a high-intensity game in the second men's singles.

The last point was 

Top fight from Srikanth, but the last point really sums up the match. Srikanth dominated with his smashes, but a desperate Lanier kept surviving, till Srikanth hit his half-smash into the nets.

Huge celebration from Lanier, who knows that he has just about escaped this match.

France lead 2-0 after Lanier beats Srikanth 21-16, 21-18 in men's second singles in Thomas Cup semi-final. 

 Poor play from Srikanth sees him give away 4 back to back points.

He is able to make a small comeback and now trails 15-16.

It is the well set-up net play and then the thundering smashes that are helping him stay in the game.

Alex Lanier has been on the backfoot, but he has been able to make it count when Srikanth has lost concentration.

Lanier looks under pressure to me.

13 minutes of intense badminton and Lanier is lucky that he is ahead.

A couple of lucky net tumbles have helped him stay ahead. Srikanth really needs to double down on his smashes. He is playing well, and there is a chance that he can edge Lanier out in this game.

Kidambi Srikanth hit that smash so hard that Lanier was forced out of the court while defending it.

Top class badminton from the veteran Indian.

The Indian camp is loud now, while the French sit in silence at Horsens.

Kidambi Srikanth is giving his all. 

He has been superb in his defence, but only if he can better his attacking shots. Some of the smashes have been thunderous, while some have gone so wide that it is perhaps unforgivable at this level.

Kidambi 4-6 Lanier in the Game 2 of 2nd men's singles

A must win game for Kidambi Srikanth now.

Alex Lanier's coach asks him to put speed on his rallies. Kidambi will like to keep him at the net and hopefully capitalise on his sensational touch play.

Kidambi Srikkanth was on a run of 5 points in the second half.

From 10-17 down, he brought it close to 15-18.

But Alex Lanier finds it in him to force Srikanth wide on multiple occasions, and the Indian loses the opening game of the second singles 16-21.