Panotchaphon teeraratsakul

Uber Cup Finals: Defending Thomas Cup champions India kicked off their title defence with a thumping 4-1 win over Thailand in Group A while their women counterparts defeated Canada by an identical margin in the group stage of the Thomas and Uber Cup 2024 in Chengdu, China on Saturday.

The men, who created history two years ago by winning the coveted title, looked in trouble when H.S. Prannoy went down 22-20, 21-14 to Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the opening singles.

But the top doubles combination of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy restored parity after a few hiccups with a 21-19, 19-21, 21-16 win over Peeratchai Sukphun and Pakkapon Teeraratsakul.