PETALING JAYA – Malaysia’s rising men’s doubles pair, Aaron Tai and Kang Khai Xing, will have to continue their development before being considered for selection in the upcoming Thomas Cup Finals. National doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi stated that, despite their promise, the duo isn’t quite ready for the high-stakes competition at this stage in their careers.
The decision follows Aaron-Khai Xing’s second-round exit at the Orleans Masters in France on Thursday, where they fell to Denmark’s Christian Faust Kjaer and Rasmus Kjaer 17-21, 13-21. While the Malaysian pair were favored to win, given their higher world ranking of No. 26 compared to the Danes’ No. 87, they couldn’t overcome their opponents in the Palais des Sports.
“It is not the right time for them to play in the Thomas Cup yet,” Herry explained. “They still need experience at higher-level tournaments before being considered for Thomas Cup selection. Maybe in the next two years, they will be ready to be fielded.”
This means the final spot in the three-pair Thomas Cup doubles lineup will be contested between the independent duo of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and the national team pairing of Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King. The selection process will hinge on their performances at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, scheduled to seize place from April 7-12.
The established pairs of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (world No. 2) and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (world No. 6) have already secured their places on the Thomas Cup team, solidifying their positions as Malaysia’s top doubles contenders. The Thomas Cup, a biennial international badminton championship contested by men’s teams representing countries from around the globe, demands a high level of consistency and experience, factors Herry believes Aaron-Khai Xing haven’t fully developed yet.
Despite the setback in France, Aaron-Khai Xing’s recent European stint wasn’t without its successes. They demonstrated their potential by securing victories against several higher-ranked pairs. Notably, at the All England Open, they achieved a stunning first-round upset over the world No. 4 Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, before ultimately being eliminated in the round of 16 by China’s Chen Boyang and Liu Yi.
Their momentum continued at the Swiss Open, where they registered wins against Indonesia’s Rian Ardianto-Rahmat Hidayat and Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana. But, their run was halted in the quarter-finals by Denmark’s Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard. These results, while not culminating in a title, showcased their ability to compete with and occasionally defeat established teams on the international stage.
The Orleans Masters also saw mixed results for other Malaysian players. Justin Hoh (men’s singles), Wong Ling Ching (women’s singles), and Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting (women’s doubles) all fell in the second round of the tournament. Hoh lost to Su Li-yang of Chinese Taipei in a close three-game match (16-21, 21-17, 22-20). Wong Ling Ching was defeated by India’s Malvika Bansod (24-22, 21-13), and Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting lost to Australia’s Lauren Lam and Allison Lee in another tight contest (21-23, 21-18, 22-20).
Herry’s decision to prioritize experience for the Thomas Cup selection underscores the importance he places on fielding a team capable of handling the pressure and intensity of the competition. The Thomas Cup is a significant event for badminton-playing nations, and Malaysia will be looking to field its strongest possible team to contend for the title. The upcoming Asian Championships will therefore be a crucial proving ground for those vying for the final doubles spot.
The focus now shifts to the Asian Championships in Ningbo, where Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King will have the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness for the Thomas Cup. Their performances will be closely scrutinized by Herry and the national team selectors as they make the final decision on the team composition.
For Aaron-Khai Xing, the next two years represent a critical period for development. Continued participation in high-level tournaments and consistent performance will be key to their progression and eventual consideration for future team selections. Their recent successes, including the upset victory at the All England Open, demonstrate their potential, and with continued hard work and dedication, they could become a formidable force in men’s doubles badminton.
The Malaysian badminton team will be looking to build on its recent performances and make a strong showing at the Thomas Cup. The competition is expected to be fierce, with top teams from around the world vying for the coveted title. The final team selection will be a crucial step in Malaysia’s preparation for the tournament.
Fans can follow the progress of the Malaysian team and the results of the Asian Championships on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) website: https://bwfbadminton.com/. The Thomas Cup Finals are scheduled to take place in Chengdu, China, from May 3-11, 2026.
