The badminton world holds its breath as the 2022 champions, India, face off against the powerhouse China in their final Group A tie of the Thomas Cup 2026. Taking place today, April 29, 2026, in Horsens, Denmark, this clash isn’t just about group standings it’s a statement of intent as both teams have already secured their spots in the quarter-finals.
With pride and a favorable knockout draw on the line, let’s dive into the match-ups, head-to-head records, and where you can catch the action live.
The Squads
Team India
Led by a mix of veteran grit and youthful exuberance, India’s squad looks formidable:
•Singles:Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Ayush Shetty, Kiran George.
•Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy & Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan & MR Arjun, Dhruv Kapila.
Team China
The perennial favorites boast deep talent across all categories:
•Singles:Li Shi Feng, Weng Hong Yang, Lu Guang Zu.
•Doubles: Liang Wei Keng & Wang Chang, He Ji Ting & Ren Xiang Yu.
Key Matchups & Head-to-Head
MS 1-Lakshya Sen VS Li Shi Feng
H2H– A classic rivalry. Both have traded wins in 2025-26; expect a 3-set thriller.
MD 1-Satwik/Chirag VS Liang WK / Wang C
H2H-Currently one of the best rivalries in doubles. Satwik/Chirag hold a slight edge in recent high-stakes matches.
MS 2-Ayush Shetty VS Weng Hong Yang
H2H-Young Ayush Shetty (2025 US Open Champ) is the underdog against the clinical Weng.
MD 2-Hariharan/Arjun VS He JT / Ren XY
H2H-A tough test for the newly reunited Indian pair against the fast-paced Chinese duo.
MS 3-HS Prannoy VS Lu Guang Zu
H2H– Experience vs Experience. Prannoy’s “Beast Mode” usually excels in team formats. |
Prediction: India 2 – 3 China
While India’s top order (Lakshya and Satwik/Chirag) is capable of taking down anyone in the world, China’s depth in the second doubles and lower singles gives them a razor-thin advantage. Expect a high-intensity battle that could go down to the final match between HS Prannoy and Lu Guang Zu.
Where to Watch India vs China
You can stream the entire Thomas and Uber Cup 2026 live in India.
OTT Platform:JioHotstar(App & Website)
TV Channels:Star Sports Network
Time:The tie is scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST (10:00 AM local time in Denmark).
Note:India’s women’s team (Uber Cup) unfortunately exited the group stage after a 5-0 loss to China earlier this week, making the men’s performance today even more crucial for Indian badminton fans!