2024 marked a transformative year for Indian table tennis, characterised by numerous historic achievements.
From the women’s team clinching a groundbreaking medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships to Manika Batra becoming the first Indian paddler to reach the round of 16 in the singles event at the Paris Olympics and the quarter-finals at the WTT Champions Montpellier, to Sreeja Akula becoming the first Indian table tennis player to win a WTT Contender singles title, the year showcased a remarkable ascent for Indian table tennis.
Adding to these accolades, the women’s doubles duo of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee etched their names in history by becoming the first Indian pair to win a medal at the Asian Championships.
One of the pivotal figures behind this extraordinary rise in Indian table tennis is national coach Sourav Chakraborty, who serves as the assistant to head coach Massimo Costantini.
Manika Batra became the first Indian table tennis player to qualify for the R16 in Olympics history in Paris.
Sourav, a former Indian international and Commonwealth Games medallist, attributes this success to a meticulously crafted developmental process, the professionalism and dedication of players, and the detailed efforts of the coaching team.
Supporting this growth, the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has been instrumental in fostering the sport’s remarkable progress. Sourav emphasized the vital contributions of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the sports ministry in this journey.
“This process is not a one-day affair,” Sourav told Readcrediting the systematic approach where players, national coaches, and personal coaches collaborate tirelessly to ensure consistent progress.
“The players are getting more chances, and TTFI is giving them opportunities to play more WTT tournaments,” Sourav underlined.
Sourav also credited the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league for providing players with a platform to showcase their skills, learn from international counterparts, and grow professionally. “UTT has played a vital role in helping players become more professional and maintain their world rankings,” he added.
Infrastructure and support
The inclusion of a physio, mental health trainer, masseur, and strength and conditioning coach within the national team has further strengthened the support system. TTFI’s transparent selection policies and SAI’s financial backing ensure deserving players gain international exposure, without being stressed about sponsorships.
“I do not think Indian players of the previous generation got this kind of support. The TTFI is sending players who deserve to play in international events, be it at the youth or senior level. To give exposure to the players, the TTFI has been playing an exceptional role,” he affirmed.
“Eligible players are getting selected based on the selection policy. The selection policy is very clean and clear,” declared Sourav. “So, players are making their plans accordingly. If a player thinks he will play 10-15 WTT events in a year, he will apprise the TTFI accordingly. In the next stage, TTFI will take the matter up with SAI, and SAI will clear the requisite amount.”
This marked a paradigm shift in Indian table tennis.
“When I was part of the Indian team for 14 years, despite being a Commonwealth Games medallist, I could hardly play on foreign tours due to lack of support. Now, players at all levels – from U12 to senior – are getting opportunities to compete abroad, which helps them adapt to challenging environments,” remarked Sourav.
He also stressed the importance of having a strong backup system, drawing parallels with China’s robust pipeline of players. “With articulate planning and coaching module in place, India’s next batch of players is getting ready. They will step up when the time comes, ensuring a seamless transition,” said Sourav.
Rising stars and regional contributions
States like Bengal have made significant contributions to the national pool, with players like Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee setting new benchmarks. Promising talents such as Ankur Bhattacharjee and Poymantee Baisya are also emerging as future stars. “Continuous participation in WTT events has been instrumental in their growth,” Sourav noted, emphasizing the importance of a robust backup system to ensure a seamless transition for the next generation of players.
One of the standout features of this new era is the players’ fearless attitude, nurtured by mental health coaches. This was evident in Ayhika Mukherjee and Sreeja Akula’s stunning victories over higher-ranked opponents, including World No. 1 Sun Yingsha and World No. 2 Wang Yidi, and the Indian women’s team beating Korea at the Asian Team Championships.
“Every player now has a mental health trainer, and they have become accustomed to high-pressure situations through regular international tournaments,” Sourav explained.
On the technical front, advanced training methods, match analysis, and detailed databases are helping Indian paddlers keep pace with the fast-evolving sport.
Strategic training and coaching
A training camp in China ahead of the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Azerbaijan paid dividends, as Ayhika and Sutirtha clinched a historic bronze medal in women’s doubles.
Their exceptional performance, including a victory over Korea’s Kim Nayeong and Lee Eunhye in the quarterfinals, underscored India’s growing stature in the sport. In 2023, the women’s doubles duo created history by winning a bronze medal in China.
Indian support staff with women’s doubles duo Sutirtha (left) and Ayhika.
“Before the Asian Championship, we had a training camp in China. We used to go in the morning and come back in the evening. The players were very passionate and used to train from morning to late evening,” Sourav said of India’s stellar three-medal winning performances.
Sourav also praised Massimo Costantini, describing him as a visionary coach. “Massimo maintains detailed data on players and customizes training programs, which has significantly influenced Indian table tennis since his return in August this year,” Sourav said.
“I have a good rapport with him, and he is an upright person. He values honest opinions from me and gives me opportunities to oversee players’ matches from the sidelines,” he added.
Promising future
Talking about his journey as a coach, Sourav said, “I did not face many hurdles while coaching Manika, Sreeja, Ayhika, and Sutirtha because they are younger than me. Similarly, G Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai are junior to me even though I played with them. So, they accepted me well. Also, my familiarity with these players helps me as a coach.”
“But you must also prove to the players that you are a capable coach. I feel that I have become quite successful in my work. I always ask for their feedback,” he added.
The future of Indian table tennis appears brighter than ever, with young players like Sreeja, Manav Thakkar, and Manush Shah showing immense promise. “Their hunger to win and dedication will only make them better with experience,” Sourav asserted. For veterans like Sharath Kamal, he believes retirement decisions should rest with the players themselves, given their continued contributions and determination.
As Indian table tennis gears up for the 2025 season, Sourav confidently declared, “Indian table tennis is no longer just about participation; it’s about competing and excelling.” With a robust support system, dedicated players, and visionary coaching, Indian paddlers are set to scale even greater heights.
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