Why is Lakshya Sen Ruled Out of Thomas & Uber Cup Semifinal against France?

India's badminton star Lakshya Sen has been ruled out from the Thomas and Uber Cup semifinal clash, which was set to take place on Saturday (May 2).

Lakshya Sen delivered a standout performance for India, anchoring the men's team's charge to the semifinals with grit and resilience. India finished second in Group A behind China, suffering a 2-3 loss to the defending champions where Sen fell to Li Shifeng (19-21, 21-8, 12-21), but the team advanced to the knockout stage.

The pivotal moment came in the quarterfinals on May 1 against Chinese Taipei. Sen, ranked World No. 11, faced veteran Chou Tien-chen (World No. 6) in the opening singles. Chou dominated early, taking the first game 21-18 and leading 18-20 in the second with two match points. Sen showed remarkable mental strength, saving both match points, winning four straight points to clinch the second game 22-20, then dominating the decider with sharp drops and court coverage for a 21-17 victory.

Why is Lakshya Sen ruled out of Semifinal?

But ahead of the semifinal against France, Sen has been ruled out with an injury, as it as confirmed by the Badminton Association of India (BAI). Sen sustained an impact to his elbow during an intense quarterfinal match that involved multiple dives.

The team's medical staff conducted a thorough evaluation, leading to the decision as a precautionary measure. This allows Sen adequate recovery time to ensure optimal condition for the final, should India advance.

"He is currently under close medical observation and receiving all necessary support. The team remains confident and optimistic about his swift recovery and return to peak form," said Sanjay Mishra, Honorary General Secretary of BAI with a press release.