Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 Live Updates: Lakshya, Satwik-Chirag win thrillers while Dhruv-Arjun clinch tie; India 3-1 Thailand (2024)

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 19-5 Saran Jamsri

A lovely slice drop winner from Srikanth and soon enough match points galore.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 11-4 Saran Jamsri

No let up in intensity from Srikanth, a fine flick of the wrist for a backhand crosscourt that catches Jamsri off guard. Big lead for the Indian veteran at the interval. Thailand's challenge in this tie, which has been solid so far, is fizzling out in the end.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 9-4 Saran Jamsri

Good shot quality from Srikanth again, drawing Jamsri forward and reacting well to a push at his body. A run of 8 straight points is finally over.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 6-3 Saran Jamsri

That's a Srikanth special. Hold and flick to Jamsri's deep forehand corner. Lovely deception and he makes it 3-3. Now into the lead, the Indian. Makes it 5-3 with a nice round-the-head smash. Back in control of the proceedings.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 1-3 Saran Jamsri

Little bit of a fight at the start of the 2nd game from Jamsri.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 Saran Jamsri

Comfortable opening game for Srikanth. Meanwhile Indonesia clinched their tie 5-0 against England and will take the top spot at the end of the first matches.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth 21-9 Saran Jamsri

Solid from Srikanth in the opening game. It was 4-4 to start off but Srikanth started pulling away from there. And 1 game point is all he needs. And good to see Srikanth pumped up even in a dead rubber, something that Kashyap has been trying to drill into the former world No 1.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Kidambi Srikanth vs Saran Jamsri

Time now for the third singles match, even though India have clinched the tie. Kidambi Srikanth vs Saran Jamsri (Srikanth is 25 vs Jamsri is 160) to close things out. Another big gulf in rankings, and Srikanth – on paper – is heavy favourite. The former world No 1 of course.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 21-15 Punpanich-Sothon

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 3-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 21-15 Punpanich-Sothon

INDIA CLINCH THE MATCH & THE TIE!Dhruv puts away a smash after a fine serve return from Arjun and the second Indian doubles pair deliver India the tie-clinching point. That, in all essence, seals India's path to the quarterfinals (with England beatable). The top spot will now come down to India and Indonesia as expected. (Getting ahead of ourselves but yeah that's how important it was to win this tie).

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 20-15 Punpanich-Sothon

One match point saved by Punpanich-Sothon. Make that two as Dhruv sends a return long. Looseing up, the nerves evident.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 20-13 Punpanich-Sothon

Arjun does what Arjun best as he puts one away at the net. 'Stay focussed here,' is Boe's message as the Thai get the serve back. And the Indians have 7 match points soon after.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 18-12 Punpanich-Sothon

Dhruv with a good third shot winner at the net. And once more the Indians read the 1-2-3 well, another winner by Dhruv on the third shot. Looking good for the win now.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 16-12 Punpanich-Sothon

Medical timeout called by Punpanich, who seems to have a cut on his arm. Can't play on with blood as per the rules.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 16-12 Punpanich-Sothon

Arjun with a good smash from backcourt and then Dhruv kills it from the net. Next point, another push goes long. A series of errors on the backline from the Thai duo in this game. The Indians on the verge of clinching the tie.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 14-11 Punpanich-Sothon

Applause from Boe and that is a really good point. "That's it nice, really good defence!" comes the yell of appreciation from the Danish coach as the Indians play a fine point to sneak back ahead. Make that 2 points ahead as another shot goes long. More validation from Boe. Rinse and repeat. Another good pressure point from the Indians to force the shuttle long once more.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 10-11 Punpanich-Sothon

Absolutely anyone's game still. A fabulous slow drop winner floors Arjun and the Thai duo take a 1-point lead into the interval.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 8-7 Punpanich-Sothon

Oh Punpanich with a crazy good piece of defence to send back a shot aimed at his midriff. The Thai duo take that point to close the gap, then a service return error from Arjun.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 8-5 Punpanich-Sothon

"Super," is the call from the coaching bench as the Indians win a nice rally. Arjun with a lovely deceptive hold-and-flick to the backcourt mid-rally there at 4-6. The Indians keep a three-point lead.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 5-4 Punpanich-Sothon

What a rally. Super flat exchange and both pairs strong in defence but the point eventually goes to the Thai pair, Who have closed the gap down to 1.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 5-1 Punpanich-Sothon

A good start to the 2nd game for the Indian duo.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 21-19 Punpanich-Sothon

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 20-19 Punpanich-Sothon

Everything to play for at 19-19. And Dhruv's smash is powerful enough for the return to go long. A futile challenge. Game point for the Indians!

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 18-19 Punpanich-Sothon

Arjun from the backcourt! Not his forte but his smash is good enough to not come back over. Chirag Shetty loved that on the Indian bench. Good diving get by Arjun next rally but the Thai duo win the point with Punpanich's smash down the middle.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 17-17 Punpanich-Sothon

And the Indians have drawn level! As we said earlier today, around this point is when most top level men's doubles games get decided. Anybody's game at the moment.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 15-17 Punpanich-Sothon

The Thai duo move ahead by 2 again. This is nervy stuff.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 14-15 Punpanich-Sothon

What a point! Dhruv and Arjun were superb in defence, especially the latter who kept sending the shuttle back despite the relentless attack from the Thai pair. And in the end he is sharp enough to dodge a smash and it goes long, as shown in the review. The Thai thought it brushed Arjun's body but no fault given.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 13-15 Punpanich-Sothon

Meanwhile in the other match in the group of death, Indonesia have taken a 4-0 lead against England.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 13-15 Punpanich-Sothon

Errors creeping into the Indian game, a few errors in this phase. The Thai pair retake the lead.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 11-10 Punpanich-Sothon

Good work from Dhruv at the backcourt, taking the pace off and then injecting some with a smash. It has been really tight though and just about the Indians take the lead.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 8-8 Punpanich-Sothon

What a rally. One of the longer ones we will see today in doubles. Good pressure from the Thai duo pays off as Dhruv-Arjun were on the backfoot for the most part. And soon enough, we are level.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 7-5 Punpanich-Sothon

As the Thai duo closed in, a nice backhand winner from Dhruv.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Shivani Naik's recent article

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Arjun-Dhruv 6-2 Punpanich-Sothon

Strong start from the Indian duo. They have had tough time on the tour since the last Thomas Cup (and the world championships in Tokyo) but have shown signs of getting back to some good form recently.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Time for the second men's doubles tie.

MR Arjun - Dhruv Kapila take on Tanadon Punpanich - Wachirawit Sothon. India once again ranked higher in this tie (41 vs 96), but the Thai pair have been as high as 53 in the world (and the Indians too have been in the top 20 for that matter)

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 21-16 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 2-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 21-16 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Lakshya Sen was made to work hard and he puts India in the lead! Spread his arms wide and does a little jig in the end as he responds to the cheers of his teammates. The beauty of the team event, that a 19yo ranked well below his opponent could produce such a performance but Lakshya finds his game just in time in the end. India in the lead.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 20-16 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Oh that's unfortunate for Panitchaphon, who does superbly on defence to stay in the point but Lakshya eventually draws the error out. Four match points for Lakshya.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 19-16 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Panitchaphon misses a backhand crosscourt and Lakshya is once again close to the finish line.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 18-16 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Similar to the error Lakshya made a while back, Panitchaphon misses one at the net. But a big winner from the lefty to make it level again. "Patience patience" is the yell from the Indian bench. Lakshya nails a good smash. A good rally follows, and boom, Lakshya with another signature smash winner. That's been missing for a while!

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 15-15 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Panitchaphon has caught up! And Lakshya comes up with a booming smash winner, followed by a good kill at the net, to inch back into the lead. And then there is a complete airshot from the Indian as he looks up to the ceiling as if cursing the drift. The Thai has caught up once again... Lakshya under pressure once again.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 13-12 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Lakshya win back-to-back errors at the net on his forehand side! Oh dear, it's tight again.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 12-10 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

It is from the near side that Panitchaphon troubled Lakshya in Game 2. So he'd be hoping for more of the same. Lakshya paid the price for playing passive from the far side to account for the drift, needs to fix that now. Already good signs for the Thai.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 11-7 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

A big 'Come on!' as Lakshya takes a 11-7 lead into the final change of ends. From here on, it would be a case of keeping his composure.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 10-7 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Lakshya with a big crosscourt jump smash and he is now bouncing around on the court.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 8-6 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Momentum certainly with Lakshya now and the Indian hench have found their voice too. A huge roar from Lakshya as he puts away a down-the-line smash and it as much a release of frustration as a celebration as he goes into a lead. Make that a 2-point lead now.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21, 3-5 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-21 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Wow, wow, wow. Lakshya led 18-11 at one point and the finish line was in sight but Panitchaphon pulls off a stunning turnaround to force a decider. A lapse of focus for Lakshya, his shots lost the sting for a few minutes and that was enough. The world No 105 has kept this tie alive. More treatment on his calf now though, so maybe Lakshya will have the physical edge still.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-20 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Oh no, that's a bad miss for Lakshya! Panitchaphon has a game point as the Indian misses a backhand kill at the net. Challenge used up by Lakshya.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 19-19 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

A much-needed winner at the net for Lakshya but Panitchaphon draws level shortly after! What a turnaround.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 18-17 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Is there a twist in the tale? Lakshya can be guilty of these lapses in focus where he loses a clutch of points. Another brilliant rally follows after the medical break. And Panitchaphon takes the brutal exchange with a brilliant backhand crosscourt winner that floors Lakshya! Just one point in this game.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 18-16 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Lapse of concentration from Lakshya here and he knows it too, as he tries to loosen himself up. A brilliant run of points for the Thai left-hander, and it is a 2-point game out of nowhere! A smash winner from Panitchaphon. And looks like Lakshya is needing some medical attention. It's for Panitchaphon for his left calf.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 18-11 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

That little phase of good points didn't last long for the Thai, finish line in sight for Lakshya.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 13-10 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

Oh, that's probably the shot of the match. Panitchaphon with a backhand smash winner down the line! Lovely. A little bit of momentum being wrestled back by the Thai teenager who makes it 10-13 with another high tempo rally.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 12-6 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

At his best, Lakshya Sen can wear you down like no other! Sensational defending from the Indian there, 40-shot rally where he kept taking the pace off, scrambled across the court and calmly played a flick forehand at the net to catch the Thai short.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 11-6 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

It looked like Panitchaphon had found some momentum early on in Game 2 but Lakshya has taken charge once again, leading by 5 at the interval. He has been varying the pace nicely throughout, mixing up his signature smashes with good tight net shots.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 7-5 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

And now Lakshya is back into the lead, injecting more pace into his shots. And another net exchange that goes Lakshya's way, he has been good there. An over-eager Panitchaphon misses a kill shot at the net as Lakshya starts to inch ahead again.

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: A good rally

Thomas Cup 2024, Group C, India 1-1 Thailand LIVE: Lakshya Sen 21-12, 3-5 Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul

The first leads of the match here for Panitchaphon who is playing at a good level at the start of Game 2. Lakshya being made to work really hard on his defence. Panitchaphon going for either flank with good accuracy.