The Defeat Of The Bagas Fikri Pair Ensures Indonesia's Failure To Win The 2024 Thomas Cup

Indonesian men's doubles badminton player Bagas Maulana (right) and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (left) in the 2024 Thomas Cup. (Between/Galih Pradipta)

JAKARTA - Indonesian men's doubles Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri must recognize the advantage of the host in the fourth round of the final, which makes the Red and White team have to settle for being the runner-up of the 2024 Thomas Cup.

Bagas/Fikri lost to China's doubles He Ji Ting/Ren Xiang Yu in the 11-21.15-21 strategic set which took place at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, Sunday.

These results made Indonesia lose 1-3 to China, after the men's singles Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and the doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto lost to the host, but Jonatan Christie tried to extend Indonesia's breath in this final round.

In the first game, Bagas/Fikri took the wrong step until they were quite far behind 3-10. The world number nine Indonesian doubles had to give up the first set with 11-21.

The difference in numbers that were far in the first game, brought more confidence to the Chinese doubles. Even so, Bagas/Fikri managed to keep up with He/Ren's game by chasing each other's numbers.

However, Bagas/Fikri could not maintain the difference in points and were 7-11 behind in the second half of the game. Indonesian doubles tried to turn things around, but the difference in numbers was getting wider until they gave up 15-21.

This is the 22nd Thomas Cup final appearance for the Red and White squad, as well as their third straight final.

The last Thomas Cup was brought home by the Indonesian men's team in 2020 in Aarhus, Denmark. This victory is an achievement that is highly appreciated by badminton fans, because Indonesia managed to bring the Thomas Cup after fasting for 19 years.

However, in the 2022 edition, Indonesia must be satisfied with the titlerunner up after losing to the Indian men's badminton team, which was then repeated in Chengdu this year after surrendering 1-3 to China.