Birmingham (Rajeev Sharma) — India’s long wait for an All-England men’s singles title will continue as Lakshya Sen fell agonizingly short in a high-octane final on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The 24-year-old from Almora, playing his second final at the prestigious tournament, was defeated by Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi in straight sets, 15-21, 20-22. The 57-minute encounter was a masterclass in modern badminton, defined by blistering rallies and relentless offensive play.
The physical toll of a grueling week appeared to be a decisive factor. Sen entered the final having spent over five hours on court, including a marathon 97-minute semifinal against Canada’s Victor Lai where he battled severe cramps and blisters. Despite playing with heavy strapping on both thighs, Sen showed remarkable resilience. After a slow start in the first game, he found his rhythm in the second, leading 9-4 and later 18-16. However, the explosive power of Lin Chun-Yi—who became the first player from Chinese Taipei to win the men’s singles title—proved too much in the closing moments of the match.
“I’m feeling emotional right now, thinking about the match, but overall there are lots of positive things today,” Sen remarked after the match. “I couldn’t recover 100% after yesterday’s cramps, but when I was on court, I wasn’t thinking about anything but giving my best.” His run to the final was nonetheless historic, featuring victories over world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi and world No. 6 Li Shi Feng, marking him as one of the most consistent performers in world badminton today.
With this result, Prakash Padukone (1980) and Pullela Gopichand (2001) remain the only Indians to have secured the All England crown. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya joined fans across the country in praising Sen’s effort, stating that the entire nation is proud of his silver medal. While the 25-year drought continues, Sen’s two final appearances in four years signal that an Indian victory on the hallowed Birmingham courts may be closer than ever.
