Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah, the world No.3 doubles duo, are poised to chase Asiad gold as the competition kicks off on September 20—India’s top hope in the men’s event.
But it’s more than a ranking. Their recent wins in WTT Feeder events and a silver at the Contenders level show a sharpening edge, yet the trio still faces a daunting trio of China, Japan and Korea. "We’re winning at the feeder level, but China and Japan keep us on our toes," said Neha Aggarwal Sharma, former No.1 paddler.
On the women’s side, Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee’s bronze at Hangzhou 2022 signals a breakthrough, and India now sees a clear medal window in women’s doubles—though the absence of Manika Batra raises eyebrows. “Let’s focus on the court, not the selection row,” Sharma muttered, underscoring the squad’s resolve.
The men’s team also boasts seasoned veterans Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Harmeet Desai, whose experience could be pivotal in the team event, while the mixed‑doubles slot offers a realistic Olympic pathway. “If we gel in doubles, we’re talking about LA 2028 medal chances,” Sharma added.
With the heat of the Aichi‑Nagoya venue heating up, India’s athletes are sharpening their shots, eyes on gold, and the promise of an Olympiad future. The next match is on September 20—fight on!