There is danger of lapsing into history too much and looking for signs, no matter how many coincidences from 2022 line up. Lakshya Sen reached the All England finals in 2022 before India won the Thomas Cup; the country’s strong three singles gave India the edge four years ago; Satwik-Chirag and third singles mastered nerves to bring the title home. Cut to 2026, and India’s men’s team at Forum Horsens, Denmark, will need to play out of their skin again as they start against a tricky Canada on Friday. India has also never beaten China, who are placed in their group. “It’s a very strong India team,” says national head coach Pullela Gopichand, adding, “If Lakshya gives us the first singles (MS1) win, that builds momentum. Ayush Shetty is phenomenally good, a formidable MS2—cool head, simple game, big smash, good net. Satwik-Chirag will play the crucial match, no matter if we are 1-0 up or 0-1 down. Prannoy-Srikanth are a pretty good MS3 with their experience.” But, he warns: “Not that other teams are not …