The Chennai Lions, playing at home, faced a must-win situation against the Puneri Paltan in the Ultimate Table Tennis league. Both teams were vying for a coveted semifinal spot. The Lions delivered an astonishing performance, securing a 12-3 victory over the Paltan. This victory, however, doesn’t guarantee them a playoff berth. They now rely on the outcome of the last league match, requiring the Jaipur Patriots to defeat Ahmedabad SG Pipers by a margin of at least 9-6.
Before the match, the Lions needed to win 13 out of their 15 games to secure a playoff spot, while the Paltan required 10 victories. Even nine wins would have sufficed for them if Joao Monteiro and his team could secure three wins in their remaining five matches.
The atmosphere at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium was electrifying. The home crowd, a mix of enthusiastic fans and school children, roared their support for the Lions, particularly for their captain, Achanta Sharath Kamal.
Sharath, a table tennis legend, faced a formidable opponent in Ankur Bhattacharjee, who had remained undefeated throughout the season. Despite Ankur’s impressive record and the advantage of serving first, Sharath outplayed him in straight sets, winning 7-11, 6-11, and 2-11.
The second match saw a clash between Poymantee Baisya and Ayhika Mukherjee, a rematch of last year’s senior National Championship final. Baisya, who hadn’t won a match this season, emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter. He won the first and third games on the golden point, capitalizing on Ayhika’s weakness on her forehand.
The mixed doubles match witnessed a dominant performance by the Chennai pair of Sharath Kamal and Sakura Mori. They defeated the Paltan duo of Anirban Ghosh and Natalia Bajor in straight sets (3-11, 8-11, 8-11).
The men’s singles saw Jules Rolland battling Joao Monteiro. After losing the first set, Rolland rallied back to win the last set, ensuring victory for the Lions. Sakura Mori’s performance in the women’s singles was not enough to completely secure the Lions’ playoff berth, but she displayed her strong form by winning one of the three games.
Ultimately, the Lions’ 12-3 victory keeps them in contention for a playoff spot. Their fate now rests in the hands of the Jaipur Patriots in the final league match.
