India: On the opening day of the third UTT National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Abhay Prashal, the U-11 group stage produced a flurry of upsets, flawless games and close calls as 38 boys and 30 girls secured their places in the main draw.
In the girls’ category, Bengaluru’s Banhijita Chakraborty survived one of the most exciting duels of the day against the top Group 8s, beating Inaya 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4) after the UP paddler won five games (8-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8). 11-8) Thriller earlier. Haryana’s Phalgun Gupta showed poise towards the end of Group 9 play by defeating Karnataka’s Samanvi Jahagirdar 3-2 (11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 10-12, 11-4) to secure the top spot.
Maharashtra’s Sharanya Patwardhan delivered a resounding win in Group 14, defeating Bengal’s Samadrita Chatterjee 3-2 with two strong bookends (10-12, 10-12, 11-8, 11-1, 9-11). Similar courage was shown by Misha Lakhani from Gujarat, who survived two crucial games in Group 15 3-2 (11-8, 16-14, 1-11, 6-11, 11-7) and 3-2 to top their pool. Maharashtra’s Shrinika Umekar also managed a five-set opener in the Group 18, winning 3-2. She won the last three games before finishing the group with a win. At the other end of the spectrum, 3-0 cruise commanders Sakshya Santhosh of Karnataka, Ari Debanna of Bengal, Aadya Baheti of Maharashtra and Kritika Saibo, also of Bengal, underlined their class. At the same time, Telangana’s Adhira Chetan and Tamil Nadu’s D Pratika fought their way through groups of three and four without losing a match.
The boys’ draw suited the drama. Telangana’s Vihaan Mudumbai prevailed 3-2 (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7) after an opening Group 12 game before taking a swing to secure the top spot. Haryana’s Arnav did the same in Group 13, edging past Tamil Nadu’s M Muhammad Rehan 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8) and then galloping home 3-0 in his next round. Tamil Nadu’s Siddharth Adhithyan had to go the distance in Group 15 and won the competition 3-2 (11-3, 6-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-9) to top the group, as did Madhya Pradesh’s Saakaar Bhargava in Group 17 (13-11, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11). 11-5). Maharashtra’s Naksh Mahajan prevailed in another nervy finish 3-2 (9-11, 11-2, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4) to top Group 22, while Pranit Agrawal (UP) escaped 3-2 in Group 26 before finishing 3-0 in the second round.
Elsewhere, the big boys will prove their authority when they play their main draw games later today. At the same time, the U-13 boys and girls also began their season with group qualifiers.
With the group hurdles overcome, the championship’s youngest field enters the knockout rounds with momentum and storylines – from ironclad playoffs to statement sweeps – and promises a lively duel for medal spots.
