Table Tennis
TT Asian Cup: Manika Batra ruled out; Yashaswini Ghorpade called up
The Asian Cup will provide eight qualification spots for the 2025 World Cup in Macao.
Manika Batra was beaten in the first round. (Photo credit: UTT)
Indian paddler Manika Batra has been ruled out of the 2025 Asian Cup, which is slated to be held in Shenzhen, China starting next week.
As per a report in The Indian Express, the 29-year-old Batra has pulled out from the premier continental competition after having picked up a niggle.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardee's withdrawal has opened up doors for the young Yashashwini Ghorpade.
The 20-year-old Ghorpade has been in good form off late, having made her way to the main draw of the Singapore Smash last week, winning three matches in the qualification rounds.
Ghorpade has climbed up to a career best world ranking of 82 in women's singles, thanks to her run in Singapore.
In Batra's absence, the youngster will join Sreeja Akula and Ayhika Mukherjee in the women's singles event.
Meanwhile, Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet Desai have qualified for the men's singles competition.
Batra, who will miss the competition, had lost her father to a cardiac arrest earlier this week.
The tournament holds a great significance with all four semi-finalists in both the men's and women's singles event earning a spot at the 2025 ITTF World Cup, which will be held in April.
