Lakshya Sen's Setback as Kidambi Srikanth Steps Up in Thomas Cup Semis

A swollen elbow injury has sidelined Lakshya Sen from India's Thomas Cup semifinal against France. Kidambi Srikanth will replace him, leading the team's efforts for a place in the final. Despite the setback, India remains confident about their performance, having previously won the cup in 2022.

In a significant development for India's Thomas Cup campaign, badminton ace Lakshya Sen has been ruled out of the semifinal clash against France due to a swollen elbow injury. The Commonwealth Games champion sustained the injury following a grueling quarterfinal match where he triumphed against world No. 6 Chou Tien Chen in a tightly contested battle lasting over an hour and a half.

In Sen's absence, Kidambi Srikanth, who is ranked world No. 30, is set to take his place in the lineup. Srikanth's experience and past performance during India's title win in 2022 lend confidence to the team's prospects. The semifinal tie will see him face off against formidable opponents, including world No. 10 Alex Lanier.

Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen is under close medical observation and is also dealing with blisters on his feet. The team's medical staff has taken measures to ensure he can possibly participate in the final, should India advance. The Indian contingent remains optimistic about their chances and aims to leverage their strong team dynamics to overcome France and secure a position in the final.