India’s Desk Tennis stars slip in ITTF singles rankings, Manav-Manush climb in doubles

The Asian Table Tennis Championship 2024, currently taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan. This tournament is crucial for all the Asian teams with 210 athletes from 26 countries competing. Indian players are making their mark in the ITTF rankings. While some athletes like Sharath Kamal and Sreeja Akula have seen changes in their singles rankings, the doubles teams are improving with some good progress.

This championship is also a qualifier for the World Table Tennis Championships and the 2026 Asian Games, making it a highly important event. On the sidelines of this tournament, here’s a look at the rankings of India’s table tennis players, which provide a snapshot of their recent form.

Which Indian players are participating in Asian TT Championship

India’s squad for the Asian Table Tennis Championship 2024 features a blend of experience and young talent. The men’s team, led by 41-year-old Sharath Kamal, includes main players like Manav Thakkar, Harmeet Desai, G. Sathiyan, and Manush Shah, all of whom bring international exposure. Reserve players include SFR Snehit and Jeet Chandra.

In the women’s team, Sreeja Akula and captain Manika Batra lead the charge, supported by bright players like Ayhika Mukherjee, Diya Chitale, and Sutirtha Mukherjee. Yashaswini Ghorpade and Poymantee Baisya are also included as reserves.

Men’s singles rankings: Sharath suffered a blow

India’s men’s singles players have seen changes in their global rankings ahead of the Asian Table Tennis Championships. Veteran Sharath Kamal Achanta remains India’s top-ranked player, although he dropped four places to 42nd with 670 points. Rising star Manav Vikash Thakkar is ranked 60th, down by three spots, while Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, a crucial player in India’s team, has dropped five spots to 68th. Harmeet Desai and Manush Shah also saw dips in their rankings but remain key to India’s hopes in the singles category.

Women’s singles rankings: Sreeja Akula slips 3 place

In the women’s singles, Sreeja Akula leads the Indian charge, holding a respectable 26th position despite slipping three places. Manika Batra, the face of Indian table tennis, is close behind at 29th, with a minor drop of one spot. Young talents like Yashaswini Ghorpade and Sutirtha Mukherjee have also seen a decline in their rankings. Ayhika Mukherjee, who has been showing steady progress, now sits at 92nd place, adding depth to India’s women’s squad.

Men’s doubles rankings: Manav-Manush shine

The Indian men’s doubles pairings are a bright spot in the rankings. The duo of Manav Vikash Thakkar and Manush Shah has jumped five spots to an impressive 11th with 1165 points, establishing themselves as serious contenders on the global stage. However, other pairs like Harmeet Desai and Manav Vikash Thakkar, along with Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Sharath Kamal Achanta, have seen slight dips in their rankings, standing at 38th and 75th respectively.

Women’s doubles rankings: Mukherjee sisters showed progress

In the women’s doubles, the Mukherjee sisters, Sutirtha and Ayhika, have risen one place to 15th, cementing their status as one of the stronger doubles teams for India. However, other pairings, like Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade, and Sreeja Akula with different partners, have seen their rankings slip. They will look to improve their standings with a solid performance in Kazakhstan.