Aichi-Nagoya [Japan], September 20 (ANI): Indian women's table tennis started off their Asian Games 2026 campaign with a sensational come-from-behind win over Singapore in their Group F match on Sunday.
India was trailing 1-2 at one point, just one match away from a loss. However, Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade fought it out to win the tie for India.
Starting off the clash against Singapore in Group F, Yashaswini Ghorpade got off to a winning start, securing a 3-1 win over Jian Zeng, 11-7, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9, as per ESPN.
In the second match of the tie, Sreeja Akula was up against Loy Ming. By the time the third game between the two concluded, Ming had taken a 2-1 lead, winning the third game 11-9. Sreeja won the fourth game 11-4, taking the match to a decider. Singapore managed to level the scoreline 1-1, as Sreeja lost to Loy 8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11 (2-3).
Next up, it was Diya Chitale in action for India against Tan Zhao, who made light work of the Indian, beating her 3-1 (7-11, 4-11, 11-7, 5-11). Singapore were in the driver's seat with a 2-1 lead.
Sreeja Akula returned to action against Zeng Jian in a must-win match, losing the opening game 6-11, but winning the next two 11-3, 11-7. She finished the match with a 3-1 win (6-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4) to level the scorelines 2-2.
Yashaswini Ghorpade was to take on Loy Ming in an all-important decider clash in the tie. She came in clutch, defeating Ming 5-11, 11-8, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9 (3-2) to seal the tie for India, taking the scoreline to 3-2.
India has won three bronze medals in Asian Games history in table tennis, with the women's team still keeping their chances for a historic gold alive.
Indian table tennis team at Asian Games 2026
-Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (men's doubles, men's team)
-Payas Jain (men's team, mixed doubles)
-Manush Shah (men's singles, men's doubles, men's team)
-Manav Thakkar (men's singles, men's doubles, men's team)
-Harmeet Desai (men's doubles, men's team, mixed doubles)
-Sreeja Akula (women's singles, women's doubles, women's team)
-Diya Chitale (women's doubles, women's team, mixed doubles)
-Syndrela Das (women's doubles, women's team)
-Yashaswini Ghorpade (women's singles, women's team, mixed doubles)
-Sutirtha Mukherjee (women's team). (ANI)
Asian Games 2026: Indian women's table tennis team starts off with sensational come-from-back win
