The Indian Women’s table tennis team faced a stunning against the might of the Chinese Taipei team as they exited the World Team Table Tennis Championships from the round of 16. This round was very important for the team as it would have earned a direct qualification for the Paris Games.

Earlier on Wednesday, India defeated Italy in the round of 32 with 3-0 as Manika Batra, Captain Ayhika Mukherjee, and Sreeja Akula recorded wins in 3 straight games. The team looked very confident to secure a berth for the Summer Games.

Unfortunate end for Indian women’s team at World Team Table Tennis Championships

The Indian star Manika Batra gave a good start to the Indian Women’s team at the World Team Table Tennis Championships, which is being held in Busan, South Korea. The World No.36 player defeated the former World No.10 in a thrilling contest.

At one stage, Chen Szu Yu led the game with 2-1, but Manika held her nerve to finish the game in the final two sets to clinch the game with 3-2.

Though Manika gave an important lead in the first game itself, Chinese Taipei’s player the current World No.10 Cheng I-Ching succeded in bringing her team back in the game as she defeated Sreeja Akula in the second game in three straight sets quite comfortably. 

Chinese Taipei team lived up to their reputation as they clinched the match with ease by winning the next two games as well. Indian Captain Ayhika Mukherjee was defeated by Li Yu-Jhun and Manika Batra, who impressed in the first game, tasted defeat this time against Cheng I-Ching. 

With this defeat, the Indian Women’s team failed to make it to the final 8 to qualify for the Paris games.

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