Badminton, Thomas and Uber Cups, as it happened: Both Indian teams begin campaign with wins

10.30 pm: That will be all from us for this live blog. On Monday, only the men’s team in action. They take on Canada. Women’s team back in action on Tuesday against USA.

Uber Cup, Group D, India 4-1 Germany: PV Sindhu marked her return to the Uber Cup with a dominant straight-games win against Michelle Li to put India 1-0 up. Simran Singhi and Shruti Mishra lost the first doubles tie, 1-1. Aakarshi Kashyap then fought back in a three-game battle to give India a crucial 2-1 lead. To seal the tie, Tanisha Crasto and Treesa Jolly won the second doubles match and Ashmita Chaliha provided the icing on the cake with a fine fightback.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 5-0 Germany: Lakshya Sen won the opening match of the tie to give India 1-0 lead. Satwik/Chirag then won a close doubles match in three games to make it 2-0. Srikanth too needed three games but he was solid enough in the end to give India the tie with two matches to go. Dhruv/Arjun and HS Prannoy then completed the formalities for a near-perfect start.

Uber Cup, Group D, India finish with 4-1 win over Germany: Well, that was fun. At the final change of ends, the coaching advice to Ashmita was “have fun!” She trailed 10-16 and came up with her best game from there on to win the match for India. Solid day all around for the Indians in Bangkok.

IND 4-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 22-20 Rachel Chan: What a finish we are having to this tie. Two players giving it their all! 20-20... Ashmita Chaliha has another match point and she converts it! BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT recovery by the Indian.

(Score in the previous updates changed to India 3-1 Canada)

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 20-20 Rachel Chan: Match point Chaliha and it is saved! Terrific rallies at the moment.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 18-18 Rachel Chan: Both players giving their all at the moment, the match is peaking at the end.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 16-17 Rachel Chan: Superb slice drop winner by Ashmita either side of Chan’s errors.. she is fighting still. Then comes a ridiculous rally where Ashmita is on the ground once, twice... and then Rachel nets it!!! WHAT A POINT.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 12-17 Rachel Chan: Good pressure from the Canadian to get the serve back. Her match to lose here.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 11-16 Rachel Chan: More aggression from Ashmita, wins her a point and then loses her a point too. Followed by a lovely flick to the back court. Life in this still?

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 8-13 Rachel Chan: Loud ‘come on!’ from the stands as Ashmita gets the serve back with a 5-point deficit.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 6-11 Rachel Chan: Fightback from the teenager! Rachel Chan is showing she is very much in this battle still. Best phase for her since the opening game and she has a lead at the change of ends. Ashmita’s coach is telling her ‘just have fun.’

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 5-8 Rachel Chan: One of the better rallies in the last few minutes. And it goes Rachel’s way. The errors seem to be rearing their head back for Ashmita but she is still in this. Gets the serve back with a powerful straight smash.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11, 3-5 Rachel Chan: Better start to the decider by Rachel but still feels like the game is on Ashmita’s racket. If she does the things she is doing well, this is hers to lose.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 21-11 Rachel Chan: That is one way to comeback after dropping the opener by 12-21. From 4-8 to 10-10 to 21-11!

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 18-10 Rachel Chan: Fantastic run of points for the Indian. Series of quick ones, and a long rally too goes Ashmita’s way.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 11-10 Rachel Chan: A superb instinctive block by Chan makes it 10-10 but Ashmita will enter the break with a lead after all. She is playing really well now.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 7-8 Rachel Chan: The Canadian’s turn to make a few unforced errors. The Indians can be heard cheering on from the stands. Ashmita now firmly back in this.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21, 3-5 Rachel Chan: As coach Siyadat tells Ashmita, she just needs to keep more shuttles in. So many points for Rachel from the Indian’s errors.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-21 Rachel Chan: Well, that was a rather tame end to the opening game. Looks like Chaliha wanted to move on quickly to the next one.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 12-18 Rachel Chan: Ashmita has actually played better than the scoreboard suggests but Chan has been really good with her control. The errors costing the Indian.

IND 3-1 CAN, Ashmita Chaliha 5-11 Rachel Chan: A strong start by the Canadian teenager to this final singles tie.

Time for the final match of this tie and India will want to make sure they finish with a cushion of four wins. Ashmita Chaliha takes on 18yo Rachel Chan, another highly-rated Canadian youngster.

IND 3-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 21-15 Choi-Wu: Brilliant from Tanisha Crasto and Treesa Jolly! Two highly-talented doubles players in their own right, they come together and put up a brilliant performance to beat a top 50 pair in straight games.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 20-15 Choi-Wu: Five match (And tie) points for the Indians.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 18-14 Choi-Wu: Hint of a comeback by the Canadians but more good work from Tanisha from the frontcourt.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 16-12 Choi-Wu: Crasto relentless at the net and the Indians are closing in on a crucial win!

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 11-9 Choi-Wu: The Indians are 10 points away from clinching this tie. Good little lead at the interval.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 9-9 Choi-Wu: The commentator reckons Choi might be struggling with a niggle, but in my opinion, just feels like the Indians have caught them by surprise with their aggression. Constant heat.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9, 6-8 Choi-Wu: Very even battle at the moment, expectedly the Canadians respond well.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 21-9 Choi-Wu: The Indian youngsters are off to a flier! They have taken game 1 21-9 against world No 47 Choi/Wu.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 16-8 Choi-Wu: A brilliant run of points by Tanisha/Treesa.

IND 2-1 CAN, Jolly-Crasto 11-7 Choi-Wu: A good start by the Indian pair, Tanisha playing some really smart stuff at the net with the angles.

IND 2-1 CAN: Time for women’s doubles No 2. In Gayatri’s absence, Treesa Jolly is pairing with another young exciting doubles prospect for India, Tanisha Crasto. They take on Pan Am championships runners-up Catherine Choi and Josephine Wu, ranked No 47 in the world. This could actually be a close one if the Indians can gel quickly.

IND 2-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 21-17 Wen Yu Zhang: HUGE WIN FOR INDIA! In the context of tie and India’s chances of progressing to knockouts that’s a massive result. Just a quick fist pump by the Indian who has turned it around and held her nerves to defeat an evidently talented but inconsistent Wen Yu Zhang.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 20-17 Wen Yu Zhang: Is there another twist here? Two match points saved by Zhang.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 20-15 Wen Yu Zhang: Five match points, Aakarshi!

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 18-14 Wen Yu Zhang: Huge point! Zhang with a few deceptions attempted, Aakarshi stays in it and forces an error to go up 16-14! Massive. Two more errors follow...

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 15-14 Wen Yu Zhang: A nice straight smash from Aakarshi... then a superb rally that is closed out by Zhang. So close, this.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 14-11 Wen Yu Zhang: A couple of lovely points from Zhang after the interval but she again struggles for consistency. It’s been wild from her for sure.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 11-9 Wen Yu Zhang: Lovely kill at the net from AK and she inches ahead... followed by another unforced error from Zhang. The Indian in the lead at the change of ends! This is going to be decided by who handles the nerves better.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 7-7 Wen Yu Zhang: Brilliant rally, finishes with a lovely drop winner from Zhang.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18, 7-5 Wen Yu Zhang: Aakarshi not happy with a couple of line calls and there are no reviews on this court. She seems to be focussed here still, Zhang still inconsistent.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 21-18 Wen Yu Zhang: INTO THE DECIDER! Well, well, with a bit of a helping hand from Zhang and her errors, Aakarshi found a way back into this match after the interval of this game and in the end she cleaned up her own game too to take this into a decider! Gritty from the Indian but the Canadian will only have herself to blame.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 19-18 Wen Yu Zhang: Good high quality rally there and it ends with a lovely punch clear winner for Zhang. But AK ties things up again. Huge few points coming up... and a crosscourt goes wide from the Canadian!

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 15-15 Wen Yu Zhang: Great block at the net by Aakarshi and it gives her a lead here out of nowhere. Zhang gets the serve back on a service error and then it is the Indian’s turn to miss a backhand. Very scratchy from both players.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 12-12 Wen Yu Zhang: Now a series of errors from Zhang and it has given a lease of life for Aakarshi.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 7-11 Wen Yu Zhang: And with a shuttle that drifts away, so does this match it would appear for Aakarshi. Zhang into the interval with a handy lead.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 5-10 Wen Yu Zhang: She is not finding the winners, and is unable to control errors too now. Aakarshi needs a run of points and quickly.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21, 1-5 Wen Yu Zhang: This is not looking too good for the Indian at the moment. She is looking a bit deflated.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-21 Wen Yu Zhang: Not the best of starts for Aakarshi, with Zhang taking the opening game. The Canadian played a better attacking game and when she controlled her errors, controlled the points. Aakarshi is a better mover on court than what she showed in the opening game, perhaps nerves.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 17-19 Wen Yu Zhang: Good little run for the Indian, here.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 15-19 Wen Yu Zhang: An error gives Aakarshi the serve back... it’s been all on Zhang’s racket.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 14-18 Wen Yu Zhang: The Canadian has moved ahead into a 2-point lead a couple of times. Aakarshi keeping her opponent in sight. But the Canadian’s drop shots are proving to be quite a handful for the Indian... a 4-point lead now. Slipping away.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 11-10 Wen Yu Zhang: The Indian takes a slender lead into the interval. This could well come down to who controls their errors more. The Canadian seems to have the better attacking weapons but Aakarshi keeping things steady.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 8-8 Wen Yu Zhang: Couple of unforced errors from Aakarshi, unlike her. Tried the slices but found the net. Then Zhang returns the favour.

IND 1-1 CAN, Aakarshi Kashyap 5-6 Wen Yu Zhang: A match of some importance in this tie, Indian youngster Aakarshi Kashyap takes on Canadian youngster, who has had some good results recently. Potential decider, this one. Good deception from the Zhang early on, couple of nice slices from the Indian to close the gap down to 4-5. Remains tight here.

A quick replug ahead of the upcoming crucial singles tie:

Indian badminton: Aakarshi Kashyap’s one-track mind helps her realise a dream

IND 1-1 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21, 12-21 Honderich-Tsai: Great fight from Simran Singhi and Shruti Mishra but Rachel Honderich and Kristen Tsai, the Pan American champions, clinch the match in straight games 21-19, 21-12. Canada level.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21, 12-20 Honderich-Tsai: Match points galore for the Canadians.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21, 10-17 Honderich-Tsai: A medical timeout for the Indians, seems Shruti Mishra is bleeding near the fingers. Can this help the Indians perhaps regain some momentum from here?

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21, 10-16 Honderich-Tsai: And now the wind is getting knocked out of their sails. The Indians try to pump themselves up after getting the serve back.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21, 8-11 Honderich-Tsai: Into the interval, the Canadians have a three-point lead.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21, 5-6 Honderich-Tsai: It can be easy to not keep the intensity up after losing a close opening game but coach Mathias Boe can be proud of what he saw from the youngsters so far. Good start to the second game too.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 19-21 Honderich-Tsai: RALLY! Indians saved one game point and then another wonderful exchange follows, the Canadians pile the pressure on to clinch it. Great, great credit to the Indian youngsters here. But can they now bounce back from this tough end? Game 1 to Canada.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 18-18 Honderich-Tsai: Brilliant long rally that the Indians couldn’t quite finish off but they level it again with a powerful body smash from Shruti.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 17-17 Honderich-Tsai: Score correction

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 17-17 Honderich-Tsai: 17-17! Well, well, this is when doubles ties tend to get decided... and when it seemed the Canadians might run away with it at 17-15, the Indians fight back again.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 13-12 Honderich-Tsai: Another brilliant rally, and the Indians stay in it long enough to force the error. Shruti with some good play that time.

IND 1-0 CAN, Simran-Shruti 11-10 Honderich-Tsai: What a rally! Good stuff from the Indians at 8-10 down to keep the pressure up and win a long rally that we could see more of. And after a fantastic crosscourt from Simran, the Indians actually enter the interval with a lead after trailing for most part.

IND 1-0 CAN, Women’s doubles: Unranked pairing of Simran Singh-Shruti Mishra take on Rachel Honderich and Kristen Tsai. The Canadians are ranked No 20 in the world. Simran usually plays with Ritika while Shruti has experience of playing with Tanisha recently but India have changed things around.

PV Sindhu extends her good record against Michelle Li, winning a SIXTH straight match against the top Canadian shuttler. Straight games, India into the lead. Over to the youngsters now!

IND 1-0 CAN – PV Sindhu 21-17, 21-10 Michelle Li: Well, once Sindhu got her attacking weapons going and Li couldn’t keep up defensive work-rate, there was only one result. Dominant from the Indian superstar and her team needed this.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 21-17, 20-10 Michelle Li: 10 match points for Sindhu.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 21-17, 16-8 Michelle Li: Sindhu gets the serve right back after a nice return winner from Li. Big lead here, looking set to extend her good record against the Canadian.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 21-17, 11-6 Michelle Li: As it should have been in the opening game, Sindhu has a 5-point lead into the interval. This is the phase where she let the Canadian fight back then, seems to be in control now. Dictating tempo.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 21-17, 10-6 Michelle Li: Sindhu in control at the moment. Finding the winners for fun.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 21-17 Michelle Li: That was a proper battle for the opening game but PV Sindhu crucially pulls ahead right at the end to take the opener 21-17 against Michelle Li, who has been brilliant on defence.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 19-16 Michelle Li: Brilliant recovery from Sindhu to escape a net chord, then Li defends so well but the pressure from the Indian is relentless. This was a big point for 17-16. She follows up with two really good points.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 16-16 Michelle Li: Serves being exchanged constantly here. Proper tug of war.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 14-14 Michelle Li: Sindhu pulls ahead just as Li closed the gap down again. But once again Li makes it a 1point battle... and soon enough, with a lovely drop, it’s all level. Court 3 doesn’t have reviews by the way, we were just told.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 11-9 Michelle Li: A lucky net chord at the end of another fine rally and Sindhu just about takes a lead into the interval. Li has played well.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 10-9 Michelle Li: OH, what a point! Sindhu pulls ahead after Li closed the gap to one and seemed set to kill a rally and take a big lead into the interval but the Canadian wins a brilliant point that saw her play a tweener successfully. And soon enough, it is once again a one-point game. Sindhu having a tough time with the sideways drift while lifting.

IND vs CAN – PV Sindhu 6-3 Michelle Li: A confident start from Sindhu. The first point she won was the round-the-head crosscourt inside out slice that she plays so well these days, early good signs.

Uber Cup Group D, India vs Canada – PV Sindhu vs Michelle Li: Sindhu back at this event after 2016. This is a big one, Sindhu will start favourite but a match India simply can’t afford to lose if they are to win this tie.

5.32 pm: We are all set for the start of Canada vs India in the Uber Cup. The Koreans are favourites in this group and they have started with a 5-0 win.

Uber Cup, Group D: India vs Canada to start at 5.30 pm IST. Here’s the lineup for the matches.

VIDEO: Fine 45-shot rally. The racket-head direction change with his forehand block at the end by Chirag Shetty was lovely.

Later in the evening today, there is Uber Cup action: Indian women’s team vs Canada in Group D. Stay tuned for match lineup and more. Expected to start at 5.30 pm IST.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 5-0 Germany: A couple of ties that went to three games but a full strength Indian men’s team complete an expected 5-0 win against Germany. Next match vs Canada, Monday afternoon session (12.30 pm IST).

IND 5-0 GER, HS Prannoy 21-9, 21-9 Matthias Kicklitz: Comfortable win for HS Prannoy in the final men’s singles tie and it completes a near perfect outing for the Indian men’s team. Off to a good start.

IND 4-0 GER, HS Prannoy 21-9, 16-8 Matthias Kicklitz: Uff! He has tried this a few times but a superb whipped forehand while backtracking, but Kicklitz couldn’t finish off the point. Prannoy remained steady.

IND 4-0 GER, HS Prannoy 21-9, 11-6 Matthias Kicklitz: A little more of a contest during the second game and the youngster perhaps shedding his nerves and playing a bit more freely. Still not enough to bother Prannoy but it must be a good learning experience for Kicklitz.

IND 4-0 GER, HS Prannoy 21-9 Matthias Kicklitz: In control from the word go, HS Prannoy. A nice cushion to have a former top 10 player and current top 25 as your third men’s singles option.

IND 4-0 GER, HS Prannoy 11-2 Matthias Kicklitz: Young Kicklitz is having to deal with a player far above his current level and it is showing. Prannoy keeping things simple.

HS Prannoy now in action in the final singles tie against 20-year-old Matthias Kicklitz ranked outside top 450.

IND 4-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 25-23, 21-15 Geiss-Voelker: Straight games win for Dhruv/Arjun against Geiss/Voelker. A tight opening game, tight start to the second game but comfortably finished off in the end.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 25-23, 20-15 Geiss-Voelker: Relentless attack from both the Indian players, five match points.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 25-23, 18-14 Geiss-Voelker: It’s a comfortable lead now for the Indians, super run of points since the interval.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 25-23, 16-13 Geiss-Voelker: Every point is being celebrated by both pairs and much like the opening game again, the Indians are in the lead when it matters.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 25-23, 9-11 Geiss-Voelker: Pretty much the exact same story of the opening game... some nice exchanges from both pairs and the Germans with the same 11-9 lead at the interval.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 25-23 Geiss-Voelker: A gripping battle between Dhruv/Arjun and Geiss/Voelker. Both pairs had game point chances but the Indians convert their 4th to take the thrilling opening game 25-23.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 22-22 Geiss-Voelker: And now the Indians’ turn to save a game point.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 20-20 Geiss-Voelker: And both game points saved by the Germans!

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 20-18 Geiss-Voelker: A couple of errors from the Indians and just when it seemed the finish line was in sight, the Germans have closed it down to one point. And then comes a superb winner on the return from Arjun for game points.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 17-15 Geiss-Voelker: Into the lead when it matters. Dhruv-Arjun keeping things short and sharp at the moment.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 9-11 Geiss-Voelker: An even start to this match, both pairs playing some good defence.

IND 3-0 GER, Dhruv-Arjun 1-4 Geiss-Voelker: We are underway in match No 4. Bjarne Geiss and Jan Colin Voelker have been ranked 50th as their best, currently on 66.

Time for the second doubles match in this tie. In the group stages, reminder that all five matches will be played in a tie even it a team wins it 3-0 or 4-1.

IND 3-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 21-9, 21-11 Kai Schaefer: Srikanth wins the match and gives India a winning lead in this Group C tie. It was a slow start by the Indian but he recovered to take the 2nd and 3rd games. Finished the match with NINE straight points.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 21-9, 18-11 Kai Schaefer: Great credit to Kai Schaefer for his fight in this one even though Srikanth evidently a class apart. Both men playing some really net stuff in the decider but Srikanth is now in to a 17-11 lead. And then another lovely rally that ends with a drop-dead gorgeous reverse slice by Srikanth.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 21-9, 11-8 Kai Schaefer: Srikanth with a 11-8 lead at the final change of ends. Can he close this out? This is not looking like a given by any means.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 21-9, 7-7 Kai Schaefer: The German finding some success down Srikanth’s backhand corner. Tight start here.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 21-9 Kai Schaefer: Rather fittingly, the second game goes to Srikanth after he controls the net. That’s when you know he is in control of things. Just ran away with the game after a tight-ish start. Can he assert himself on the decider too? Schaefer might have conserved a bit in the second game, so he could well come out strong here at the start.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 14-8 Kai Schaefer: The German plays a fantastic point at 6-12 to close the gap down. Nice rally, that, finished with a good crosscourt drop. Then Sri with a delicious crosscourt winner at the net.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 11-4 Kai Schaefer: Srikanth is in control at the moment, moving Schaefer around and tightening up his game too.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21, 7-4 Kai Schaefer: Better intensity from Srikanth now and it is starting to show on the scoreboard.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-21 Kai Schaefer: Not the start Srikanth would have hoped for in this one, one game point is all the German needed. If there were extra points for flair, Srikanth would have edged that but just by sheer hard work and staying in points, Schaefer takes the opening game. The commentator says Srikanth was perhaps too long in third gear in this one.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-20 Kai Schaefer: Wow. A complete mishit from Srikanth, followed by a fantastic rally and it is game points for the German now!

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 18-18 Kai Schaefer: Srikanth needs another gear here... from just being level or thereabouts, Schaefer is back in the lead at the latter edges. And a lovely net shot from Srikanth helps him level things at 18-18.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 15-15 Kai Schaefer: The German keeps fighting back in the opening game, not letting this slip. Srikanth is playing some lovely stuff too but he is not at it consistently enough.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 11-9 Kai Schaefer: Some delightful reverse slices, and cheeky angles at the net... signs that Srikanth is getting into a groove.

IND 2-0 GER, Srikanth Kidambi 7-7 Kai Schaefer: Srikanth starting to dictate things after a good start for the German. 2-6 to 5-6 and soon enough 7-all. Schaefer recently took Antonsen to three games in the European Championships, so he won’t make this too easy for the Indian.

Time for Srikanth Kidambi now. First meeting on tour with Kai Schaefer.

Solid recovery in the decider by the Indian pairing in that doubles tie. They were taken aback in the 2nd game by the attacking pressure of the Germans and playing on the defensive didn’t quite work out. Started trusting the angles more often in the decider and it paid off.

IND 2-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21, 21-13 Seidel-Jansen: Satwik-Chirag win! The Indians were under pressure in the middle part of this match but recover well enough to take the decider rather comfortably in the end. The Germans played quite well too, it must be said.

IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21, 20-12 Seidel-Jansen: Eight match points for the Indians. What a service winner from Satwik.

IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21, 16-11 Seidel-Jansen: FANTASTIC RALLY! The Indians were in control, the Germans stayed resolute and had their chance to kill it off... and in the end a superb defensive forehand from Chirag wins the point. Longest rally of the match, 45 shots.

IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21, 11-9 Seidel-Jansen: Satwik-Chirag take a lead into the final change of ends and will hope to stay in control here. The moment they started to dictate pace early in the rally, they seemed more comfortable.

IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21, 9-8 Seidel-Jansen: And there’s a good little run for the Indians, it’s been a while. Into the lead in the decider.

IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21, 6-7 Seidel-Jansen: It is all very tight for the Indians at the moment... they are unable to find a flow to their game, largely reacting and not dictating.

Thomas Cup Group C, IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-21 Seidel-Jansen: Satwik-Chirag put under relentless pressure by the Germans and Seidel/Jansen take the 2nd game 21-10 to force the decider. Great tempo to their game, Indians were constantly on the backfoot.

Thomas Cup Group C, IND 1-0 GER, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 10-16 Seidel-Jansen: Some intense pressure on the Indians during the rallies at the moment. Great fightback from the Germans.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 1-0 Germany, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 7-11 Seidel-Jansen: SUPERB RALLY! That’s classic men’s doubles. Great exchange between all four players, Satwik could perhaps have killed the point off sooner but credit to the Germans there and the error eventually comes from Chirag. Good little lead for Seidel/Jansen at the interval.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 1-0 Germany, Satwik-Chirag 21-15, 7-9 Seidel-Jansen: The Germans have started the 2nd game brilliantly, off to a 8-3 lead at the start. A sensational series of defensive returns from Satwik helps India close the gap and soon enough it is a 2-point game.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 1-0 Germany, Satwik-Chirag 21-15 Seidel/Jansen: Lovely judgement at the backcourt for a couple of times for Satwik there, great tempo at the net exchanges, some solid angles from Chirag... and it is a breeze of an opener for the Indians.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 1-0 Germany, Satwik-Chirag 11-8 Seidel/Jansen: A good start for the Indians. The Germans kept things close early on but the Indians are starting to take control. Good to see Mathias Boe again at the coaching duties during the interval, the Danish great who is back coaching the Indian doubles team.

Lamsfuss, it is worth adding, was working overtime during the European Championships where he won MD and XD gold.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 1-0 Germany, Satwik-Chirag vs Seidel/Jansen: Time for the men’s doubles. This could have been potentially a banana peel for the Indians but Lamsfuss, Seidel’s regular partner, seems to be sitting this one out. They were the European champions last week.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India 1-0 Germany – Lakshya Sen 21-16, 21-13 Max Weisskirchen: A slowish start to the match but once he got his groove, there was no stopping Lakshya in this one. Showed good hustle in defence, and used his superior touch to good effect too. The German had his moments but easy enough for LS in the end.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 21-16, 11-5 Max Weisskirchen: Lakshya dominating this now.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 21-16 Max Weisskirchen: Game 1, India. A lucky net chord followed by a superb up tempo rally gives Lakshya the opening game. 12 out of the 17 points after the mid-game interval. Superb change of gears.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 19-16 Max Weisskirchen: Every time Max gets a short lift, he is killing the points off to his credit. A nice little late rally from the German but Lakshya still on course.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 19-13 Max Weisskirchen: MW has good power but now Lakshya is showing off his skills, some sensational touch at the net.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 14-11 Max Weisskirchen: There it is, the shifting of gears after the interval. Better tempo from Lakshya right away and he reels off a series of 5 points.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 9-11 Max Weisskirchen: That’s a solid start for the German but feels like the Indian is still playing within himself, not quite gotten going yet.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 9-9 Max Weisskirchen: Well, that was not ideal... a front-foot slide while Lakshya went for a lunge but he manages to keep his bearings. Good defence to win a point. Max is keeping the Indian on his toes though, making the most of his physical advantage with steep smashes.

Thomas Cup, Group C, India vs Germany – Lakshya Sen 3-3 Max Weisskirchen: An even start to this match between the world No 9 and world No 64. Lakshya will want to impose himself soon though. This is their third meeting, but the first came way back in 2014.

Team chants of “How’s the Josh! High sir” on court as Indian men are about to begin their Group C campaign in theThomas Cup against Germany

Court 2: India vs Germany. Nearly time.

Hello and welcome to live updates from day one of the Thomas and Uber Cup finals in Bangkok.

First up, Indian men begin their Thomas Cup campaign with a tie against Germany. Later in the day, Indian women take on Canada in their Uber Cup Group D tie.

Here’s a look at the lineup for the India-Germany match.

Screenshots in the blog courtesy Tournament Software / Viacom 18