Asian Table Tennis C'ships: Indian men's team wins third consecutive bronze

The Indian men's table tennis team won their third consecutive bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championship, today at Astana, Kazakhstan.

Facing Chinese Taipei players in the semifinals, the Indian team lost 0-3, with Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet Desai losing their respective singles matches.

Starting with the opening fixture, Sharath Kamal faced world no.11 Lin Yin-Ju and succumbed to a 0-3 (7-11, 10-12, 9-11).

Sharath was uncharacteristically off in his defensive game today and conceded a lot of points trying to return Yin-Ju's top spins and smashes.

Manav Thakkar brought a lot of energy and intensity, but facing world no.22 Kao Cheng-Jui, he was not able to sustain the pressure he created.

Thakkar ultimately lost 1-3 (9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-13) to Cheng-Jui, and that gave Chinese Taipei a commanding 2-0 lead over India.

Harmeet Desai played the third match of the tie against Huang Yan-Cheng and the Indian was blown away by the Taiwanese's brilliant table tennis.

Harmeet couldn't match his intensity and despite being ranked 70, Huang produced a fine game and won 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-7), sealing the tie for his country.

Chinese Taipei will face China in the final.

Mixed doubles pair Manav and Manika lose in the round of 16

Newly formed mixed doubles pair Manav Thakkar and Manika Batra lost their round of 16 match against Paris Olympics silver medalist duo RI Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong of the People's Republic of Korea.

Coming in as underdogs, the Indians lost 1-3 (6-11, 7-11, 11-8, 7-11) and with their defeat, the Indian contention in the mixed doubles category of this tournament ends.