India has entered the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup Finals by defeating Chinese Taipei. After the strong comeback of Lakshya Sen, the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty and the excellent performance of young shuttler Ayush Shetty, India took an unassailable 3-0 lead against Chinese Taipei on Friday and secured a place in the semi-finals. Lakshya gave India an early lead by saving two match points and defeating world number six Chou Tien Chen.

Lakshya was trailing most of the time in this match but he showed amazing fighting spirit and won 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 in a marathon match that lasted one hour and 28 minutes. After this, the doubles pair of Satwik-Chirag put India in a strong position by defeating Chiu Siang Chieh and Wang Chi-Lin 23-21 19-21 21-12 in one hour and 15 minutes. After this the responsibility fell on Ayush Shetty and this young player performed brilliantly.

The 20-year-old player, who recently reached the final of the Badminton Asia Championship, defeated world number eight and current All England Open champion Lin Chun-Yi 21-16, 21-17 in the second singles, taking India to the semi-finals.

India has become champion in 2022

The Thomas Cup is the world team championship of badminton. India became its champion in 2022. He will face either France or Japan in the semi-finals. India’s medal has also been confirmed by reaching the semi-finals. Apart from winning the title in 2022, India had won bronze medals in 1952, 1955 and 1979.

Lakshya made an amazing comeback

Before this match between Lakshya and Chou, their records were tied at 4-4. The match witnessed an exciting duel full of long rallies, precise strokeplay and ups and downs. Chou won the first game after trailing 10-15 but Lakshya made a brilliant comeback under pressure in the second game. The Indian player leveled the score by winning four consecutive points after trailing 13-17.

Chou got two match points but Lakshya maintained his composure and saved both to take the match to a decider. In the third game, 36-year-old Chou appeared to be physically weak and Lakshya consolidated its position with an 11-7 lead at the interval. Even after this, they maintained control over the game and were successful in winning the match.

Satvik-Chirag’s brilliant performance

Satwik and Chirag struggled early and after being tied at 5-5, they fell behind at 8-13. The Indian players tried to make a comeback but Chiu and Wang maintained control of the match 18-15.

Satwik and Chirag did not give up. He made a strong comeback and took the score to 18-19 and then won the first game. The second game was also very tough. Initially both the pairs were tied at 8-8. After this the Indian pair took a lead of 14-11 but the Taiwanese players made a strong comeback and leveled the score.

After this, the aggressive game continued, in which both the teams had equal control but in the end Chiu and Wang took the lead and took the match to a decisive game. The course of the game completely changed in the third game. The Indian team, showing aggressive and accurate play, quickly managed to take a lead of 9-3. Satwik performed brilliantly both at the net and in the backcourt, giving the Indian pair a lead of 13-6 and then 15-7. Satwik and Chirag soon gained many match points and won the match easily.

Ayush showed aggressive game

Ayush displayed composure and aggression to defeat Lynn, who was not fully fit due to a leg injury. After trailing 7-11 in the first game, Ayush showed patience and displayed aggressive play at the crucial juncture by hitting several consecutive winners to take the score to 13-12. After this, the Indian player won the first game by scoring seven consecutive points.

Ayush maintained the same rhythm in the second game and despite falling behind in the beginning, took a lead of 9-7. He was leading 11-8 till the interval. Amidst the immense support from the audience and slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Ayush took lead of 15-11 and then 19-13. Lynn tried to make a comeback in the last moments and reduce the score difference to 16-19 but Ayush maintained his composure and won the match by allowing his opponent’s shots to go long while scoring several match points. With this the Indian players started celebrating.