Young Indian Squad Shows Promise Despite Quarterfinal Exit at Asian Table Tennis Championships
The Indian men’s table tennis team bowed out of the 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Team Championships after a 0–3 defeat to Hong Kong in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Despite the loss, head coach Massimo Costantini expressed satisfaction with the young team’s overall progress in the tournament and called the campaign a positive start to a new beginning in Indian table tennis.
The match, held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, saw Manush Shah, Manav Thakkar, and Ankur Bhattacharjee taking on the court for the first time in India. Manush began the tie against Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting, one of Asia’s most consistent performers, but fell short in straight games.
Manav, leading the team as captain, put up a strong fight in a five-game thriller against Chan Baldwin, showing maturity and control before narrowly losing out in the game. The game ended when young Ankur Bhattacharjee went down to Lam Siu Hang, Leading to India’s exit.
India had entered the tournament as one of the scattered sides, having earned back-to-back bronze medals in previous editions. However, with the recent retirement of veteran Sharath Kamal, this year marked a transitional phase for the men’s team. The responsibility to carry forward the legacy now rests with a new generation of athletes, most of whom are still starting their way out in the sport on the international level.
Contemplating the campaign and the individual performances, Costantini praised the squad’s energy and commitment but admitted that mental flexibility under pressure remains an area for improvement for the team.
“Full credit to Hong Kong, especially the way the three played, keeping their cool at tense moments and finishing crucial points well, unlike the Indian paddlers, who had their moments and failed to grab them. With pressure mounting on each player after that, they could not sustain and wilted. Yet, I would say, it is a young team, and they will learn from their mistakes”. Expressed Coach Massimo.
The quarterfinal finish may not have matched India’s past medal performances, but it emphasised the team’s strength and potential. Players like Manush, Harmeet Desai, and Sreeja Akula have already shown that Indian table tennis is entering a phase of regeneration, supported by a strong domestic structure and improved exposure through international leagues like this.
As the squad returns to the training base, Costantini’s focus will shift toward improving mental conditioning and tactical adaptability to be maintained throughout the game and areas he believes are key for sustained success on the Asian stage. With a young group eager to prove themselves, the signs remain encouraging for Indian table tennis as it steps into the post-Sharath Kamal era.
