"Exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is disheartening": Manika Batra

India's leading table tennis player Manika Batra has questioned the process behind her exclusion from the main squad for the 2026 Asian Games, calling for greater transparency and consistency in the application of selection criteria.

The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Thursday named Manika among the reserve players for the continental showpiece despite her being India's second-highest ranked women's singles player in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings.

In a detailed statement issued after the squad announcement, Manika expressed disappointment over both the decision and the manner in which it was reached.

"My exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is deeply disheartening, not only because of the outcome, but because of the manner in which the selection criteria appear to have been interpreted and applied. No specific reason has been communicated to me," she said.

The former Commonwealth Games champion also appealed to the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association to review the matter.

"I respectfully request the Hon'ble Sports Minister and the leadership of the Indian Olympic Association to kindly look into this matter to ensure that the process is transparent, consistent, and fair to all athletes," Manika stated.

According to the selection framework, players are evaluated on the basis of national rankings, world rankings and selectors' discretion. Manika argued that if those parameters were used, athletes deserved a clear explanation of how each component was assessed.

"If this is indeed the case, then transparency requires that each component and its application be clearly explained to the athletes concerned," she said.

Manika also pointed to previous selection cycles where players outside similar ranking thresholds were reportedly included under special considerations, saying it was important to understand how those principles had been applied in the current selection process.

Currently ranked World No. 51, Manika noted that she had only recently slipped outside the top 50 and remained within touching distance of the bracket.

"I have not dropped to a distant range; rather, I am at a marginal difference where movement in either direction can occur within a single ranking cycle," she said.

The 30-year-old further argued that international rankings do not always provide a complete picture of an athlete's form and highlighted her recent results against strong opposition.

"In my case this season, I have been more consistent in performance and have recorded wins against strong international opponents, including U-19 youth champions from China and several other top Asian players. My current form reflects consistency at a high international level," she said.

Addressing concerns regarding her absence from domestic events, Manika said the demands of competing on the international circuit often made it difficult to participate in every national tournament.

"Throughout my career, my focus has been on representing India in international competitions consistently, and national ranking should therefore be viewed in the context of these international commitments rather than in isolation," she said.

Highlighting her achievements, Manika pointed to her Asian Games bronze medal in mixed doubles, Asian Cup bronze in women's singles, multiple Commonwealth Games medals and historic performances at both the Olympics and Asian Games. She said such accomplishments should be taken into account within any selection framework.

Manika confirmed that she has formally sought a detailed explanation regarding her non-selection and the criteria used in the decision-making process. " Athletes dedicate their entire lives to the country, and they deserve a process that is clear, documented, and uniformly applied," she said.

Despite the setback, Manika reiterated her commitment to Indian table tennis and her desire to continue representing the country.