India’s table tennis contingent is ready to serve up a strong challenge at theParis 2024 Olympics, and at the helm are two of the country’s most celebrated paddlers —Sharath KamalandManika Batra.
The veteran duo has officially been named to lead the Indian table tennis team, bringing experience, skill, and leadership to the world’s biggest sporting stage.Their inclusion marks a blend of seasoned class and fearless ambition as India hopes to make a deeper run in Olympic table tennis than ever before.
The Indian girls’s group, comprising Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath, misplaced to Germany within the zone-finals, at the same time as the group of Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar lost in their starting spherical of the men’s event to the People’s Republic of China. In the singles competition, India fielded four gamers - in guys’s singles and in ladies’s singles.
Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula made the spherical of sixteen in ladies’s singles, turning into the first Indian players to achieve this on the Olympics.
Veteran Sharath Kamal, who was India’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony, become defeated within the commencing round of the guys’s singles. Harmeet Desai, in the meantime, won his qualifier spherical to attain the primary draw, however misplaced inside the spherical of 64.
All six players for the Indian Olympic table tennis crew had been decided on based on world rankings. Besides them, Gnanasekaran Sathiyan and Ayhika Mukherjee travelled to Paris because the reserves.
A Veteran and a Trailblazer at the Helm
Sharath Kamal: The Legend Returns
At 41,Achanta Sharath Kamalis not just India’s most decorated table tennis player — he is an icon. A four-time Olympian and nine-time national champion, Sharath brings nearly two decades of experience to the team. His bronze medal at the 2022 World Table Tennis Championships in men’s doubles and consistent international form made his selection inevitable.
"It’s an honour to represent India again at the Olympics, and I feel just as motivated today as I did during my first Games," Sharath said in a recent interview.
His presence is expected to stabilize India’s men’s team and serve as a mentor to younger paddlers in the squad.
Manika Batra: Leading from the Front
Manika Batrahas been the face of women’s table tennis in India ever since her breakthrough performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a match at the Olympics in 2020 and continues to be ranked among the top Asian players.
Her attacking play style and mental resilience make her a strong contender in both the singles and mixed doubles events.
India’s Full Squad for Paris 2024 Table Tennis
While final team announcements are pending official Olympic confirmation, the expected lineup includes:
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Men’s Singles: Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran
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Women’s Singles: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula
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Mixed Doubles: Sharath Kamal & Manika Batra
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Team Events: Full men's and women's teams qualified for team formats
This will mark thefirst time India competes in all four categories— a milestone that speaks volumes about the sport’s growth in the country.
India's Olympic Table Tennis Journey So Far
Despite several appearances at the Olympic Games,India has yet to win a medal in table tennis. However, the nation’s performance graph has seen a sharp rise in recent years, with improved rankings, international exposure, and the support of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).
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Tokyo 2020: Manika Batra reached the 3rd round in singles
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Rio 2016 & earlier: India participated but failed to advance past the early rounds
With bothSharath and Manika at peak form, Paris 2024 could very well be the tournament where India breaks through on the Olympic stage.
What to Expect in Paris
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Tough Competition: China, Japan, and Germany remain heavyweights, but India has the potential to upset top seeds.
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Mixed Doubles Spotlight: The pairing of Manika and Sharath has delivered results in the past — including at the 2018 Asian Games — and could be India's best shot at a medal.
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Mentorship & Momentum: Sharath’s experience and Manika’s flair create a balanced leadership dynamic for younger athletes.
Road to Paris: Training and Preparation
Ahead of Paris 2024, the Indian table tennis squad has a packed calendar, including:
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Intensive training camps in Europe and India
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Participation in WTT events for ranking points and match fitness
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Specialized coaching support, including foreign experts and sports psychologists
TTFI and the Indian Olympic Association are working closely to ensure world-class preparation, including recovery protocols, diet plans, and game analytics.
Final Thoughts
WithSharath Kamal and Manika Batraleading the charge, India’s table tennis team entersParis 2024with a mix of seasoned experience and youthful exuberance. More than just competitors, they are torchbearers of India’s rapidly rising status in international table tennis.
As the countdown to the Olympics begins, all eyes will be on these two paddlers who have already made history — and now aim to script a new chapter on the Olympic stage.
