Panchkula: The fourth UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships opened on a lively note at the Tau Devi Lal Multipurpose Indoor Stadium, with the U-11 qualifiers setting the tone for a week of competition to come. The first day belonged to the youngest paddlers, who showed fearlessness and perseverance in a series of hard-fought five-game battles – and hosts Haryana had every reason to be encouraged by the intensity and promise of their emerging talent.
Haryana’s young talents were present in all rounds, remained calm in difficult situations and earned recognition from the local audience for their courage. One of the most exciting contests was an all-Haryana clash where Keshav Raghunath defeated Vasudev Advik Jain (TTFI-1) 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8. The dynamic changed several times before Keshava stabilized late, reflecting the steady development and depth cultivated in the state’s youth training system.
In the girls’ event, Mahi Kumari held on in a thrilling finish against Debopriya Karmakar of West Bengal to score an 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8 victory that was characterized by controlled aggression and disciplined serving. Soon after, Phalgun Gupta made another statement for the hosts by coming back from behind to beat Aaditri of West Bengal 10-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8. Haryana’s Mihika Gupta also fought bravely and came back from two games down before narrowly losing to Gujarat’s Yaana Singh 6-11, 4-11, 11-13, 11-6, 10-12 in one of the closest matches of the day.
Elsewhere there were several close finishes in the qualifiers as young players battled through all three rounds. S. Nithin Kanna of Tamil Nadu showed courage against Trishanjit Ghosh of West Bengal and secured a 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 win. Vihaan Mudumbai of Telangana pulled off one of the most dramatic turnarounds, recovering from two narrow opening defeats to beat Lakshveer Sharma 13-15, 13-15, 11-8, 12-10, 11-3, while Delhi’s Ayaan Malhan showed poise in a fast-paced encounter against Aditya Singhania of Punjab to win the match 5-11. 11-8, 11-13, 12-10, 11-5.
After seven boys and four girls from Haryana made it into the main draw, the hosts ended the opening day on a strong note, supported by a combination of spirited play, improved technical skills and composure on the big stage. For many Haryana paddlers, these early victories were also a confidence-building experience in front of home fans – and their ability to fight through difficult scorelines underscored a bright future.
Key results (all rounds):
Youth Boys U-11: S. Nithin Kanna (TN) vs Trishanjit Ghosh (WB) 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6; Keshava bt. Vasudev (Har) bt Advik Jain (TTFI-1) 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8; Trishanjit Ghosh (WB) vs. Sankhala R. Singh (TTFI-2) 8-11, 11-2, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5; Ayaan Malhan (Del) bt Aditya Singhania (Wordplay) 5-11, 11-8, 11-13, 12-10, 11-5; Vihaan Mudumbai (Telg) bt Lakshveer Sharma (TTFI_1) 13-15, 13-15, 11-8, 12-10, 11-3; Divit Bansal (Chd) vs Rigved Saha (WB) 9-11, 12-14, 11-5, 13-11, 11-7.
Youth Girls U-11: Anusriti Sarkar (WB) vs. Myra Kheskani (Guj) 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8; Rupkatha Das (WB) bt Adhira Chetan (Telg) 11-3, 13-15, 11-8, 12-14, 11-6; Khushi Bagel (MP) vs Privya Barua (Del) 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8; Mahi Kumari (Har) bt Debopriya Karmakar (WB) 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 11-8; Kaushiki (TTFI-2) bt Yashashree Sil (Telg) 13-11, 4-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6; Phalgun Gupta (Har) nt Aaditri (WB) 10-12, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8; Idhika Bansal (Chd) vs Indira Sarkar (WB) 9-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7; Yaana Singh (Guj) bt Mihika Gupta (Har) 11-6, 11-4, 11-13, 6-11, 10-12; Oishikta Das (WB) vs. Ikaara Sreeram (del0 11-2, 11-13, 13-11, 6-11, 11-6; Srinika Chakladar (WB) vs. Akshita Kashyap (Del) 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9; Sharanya Patwardhan (Mah0) vs. Mihika Mahajan (Chd) 10-12, 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7.
