On Monday, India qualified for the Thomas Cup quarterfinal stage with a convincing 5-0 victory over England in Group C. India secured their second consecutive win, ensuring qualification for the quarterfinals after defeating Thailand 4-1 in their opening tie.
The defending champions demonstrated their superiority, beginning with HS Prannoy’s dominant 21-15, 21-15 win, which gave India a 1-0 lead. He emphasised the importance of getting off to a good start, citing its morale-boosting influence on the team.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had a difficult challenge but emerged victorious in three games, demonstrating their resilience.
Kidambi Srikanth’s convincing 21-16 21-11 victory strengthened India’s standing, with Srikanth acknowledging the more difficult challenges ahead while remaining confident in his current form. The doubles pair of MR Arjun and Dhruv Kapila continued India’s winning streak with a calm performance, winning 21-17 21-19.
Finally, Kiran George sealed India’s victory with a 21-18, 21-12 win.
Looking ahead, India prepares to face group leaders Indonesia in their final group match, expecting another tough battle. The team’s effective play demonstrated their commitment to retaining their title while also highlighting their strength as strong tournament competitors.
