Banking on a settled core and bolstered by the rise of Ayush Shetty, the Indian men's team will aim to reclaim the title, while the women's side looks to punch above its weight at the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals beginning here on Friday. India will open their campaign against Canada on Friday, followed by matches against Australia on Monday (April 27) and China on Wednesday (April 29). Four years ago, India did something unprecedented, annexing the Thomas Cup crown, considered the world team championship of badminton, putting the sport firmly on the radar of the youth in this country.

A bunch of bravehearts, led by Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, defied all odds as they tamed Denmark, Malaysia and Indonesia en route to that epic moment in Indian badminton history. That week witnessed Srikanth emerge as the invincible leader, Prannoy the decider specialist, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty the gentle giants. Two years later, India's title defence ended against China in the quarterfinals. Cut to 2026, there is renewed hope as the Indian men, with the same core and the exuberance of rising star Ayush, are eyeing a repeat.