India’s men’s table tennis team’s maiden Olympic appearance came to an end in the opening round of the Paris Olympics 2024. The team faced a formidable opponent in China, ultimately falling to a 0-3 defeat.
The Chinese dominance began with a straight-sets victory in the doubles match. Ma Long and Wang Chuqin proved too strong for the Indian pair of Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar, winning 11-2, 11-3, 11-7.
India’s hopes for a comeback were raised in the subsequent singles match. Veteran Sharath Kamal, a force to be reckoned with on the table tennis court, took the opening game against Fan Zhendong 11-9. However, Zhendong, the gold medalist in the men’s singles at Paris, quickly turned the tables, winning the next three games 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.
The hopes of extending the tie to a fourth game rested on the shoulders of Manav Thakkar. Unfortunately, he was unable to overcome the challenge posed by Wang Chuqin, losing 11-9, 11-6, 11-9.
Despite the disappointment of an early exit, India’s presence in the Olympics marked a significant milestone for the country’s table tennis program. The experience gained will undoubtedly serve as valuable lessons for the future, and India can look forward to building upon this foundation in the years to come.
