Table Tennis has been a growing sport in India. It is also known as Ping Pong. There has been an increase in participation and global recognition over the years. British Officers introduced the sports during the early 20th century. The sport began with the establishment of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) in 1926. As the federation aligned with the sport’s global rise. It is a game of precision, agility, and strategy. Table tennis in India gained attraction in the 1970s.
Thanks to a series of national tournaments and improved infrastructure. Table tennis became a popular indoor activity after being adopted by schools, colleges, and clubs all around the country. Nowadays Khelo India Games and National Championships provide a platform for young talent to showcase their skills and gain exposure.
Indian table tennis has evolved significantly to become a major force on the global stage. The level of popularity and success has grown as a result of player dedication, improved infrastructure, and government support. India has consistently performed well at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, establishing itself as a rising power in the sport.
There has been a rise in some of the best Indian table tennis players. In this article, we will take a look at those superstars who have been an icon for the upcoming generation in the field of table tennis. They have the potential to continue motivating future generations of young players, putting India on the world stage of top-tier table tennis.
Here are the top 10 best Indian table tennis players
10. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran
Gnanasekaran first Indian table tennis player to win an ITTF event in Europe. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran won gold in the men’s singles event at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Spanish Open in Almeria. He won three medals in his Commonwealth Games debut on the Gold Coast in Australia. He earned the Arjuna Award in 2018. Along with that, he was given the TOISA Table Tennis Player of the Year Award 2017 (Jury Choice).
9. Mouma Das
She is an Indian table tennis player known for her impressive career at both national and international levels. Mouma Das played more than 400 International Matches against 75 different countries. The 40-year-old won five medals in the Commonwealth Championships. The West Bengal-born player was also rewarded with Arjun Award and Padma Shri.
8. Poulami Ghatak
West Bengal held three junior national championships (1996, 1998, and 1999) as well as seven senior national championships between 1998 and 2016. She ranked top 2 among the female senior table tennis players. Ghatak won the silver medal in Commonwealth Games 2010.
7. Kamlesh Mehta
Mehta was on the Indian team from 1982 to 1989. The Mumbai-born was the highest-ranked Indian player in Asia, the Commonwealth, and the world. He represented India in seven world championships, eight Asian championships, and two Asian Games. Along with four South Asian Federation Games & two Olympic Games. Kamlesh won seven gold and four silver medals in the SAF Games in 1991 at Colombo.
6. Anthony Amalraj
The 38-year-old won the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in doubles with Sharath Kamal.
Anthony also won the National Table Tennis Championship in January 2012. The Tamil Nadu player was a key part of the Indian team that won the gold medal in the men’s team event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
5. Soumyojit Ghosh
The West Bengal player was the youngest Indian player to qualify for the London, 2012 Olympics. He also won the youngest national champion at the age of 19. Soumyojit Ghosh won a mixed doubles bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in Bahrain. He also won the Arjun Award.
4. Ankita Das
The Darjeeling-born Won the championship at the 75th Senior National Table Tennis Championships (2014) Women’s singles event. Ankita was the finalist in the WJC China Cadet Girls Singles.
She won the WJC Canada Cadet Girls Singles gold medal. Along with that, she won the Gold, Cape Town, South Africa Cadet Girls, and Asian Team.
3. Neha Aggarwal
The Delhi-born player was the only woman from India to feature in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Neha won the Gold in the Commonwealth Youth Games back in 2008. She also won bronze in Commonwealth Championship in 2009, Glasgow.
2. Sharath Kamal
Kamal has been an active player on the international circuit for about two decades. He is the first Indian table tennis player ever to become a ten-time Senior National Champion. The Chennai-born player first Indian to win a singles gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. He is also a four-time Olympian.
1. Manika Batra
Batra is the superstar of Indian table tennis. The Delhi-born player joined them at the table and went on to thrive in the following years. She won her first international medal as a 16-year-old in 2011, a silver medal in the Under-21 category at the Chile Open, and three years later was selected for the Indian team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
These superstars have performed at their best for the nation. They have been the inspiration for many upcoming talents in India. Table Tennis with promising talent, increasing popularity, and a stronger presence on the global stage. With continued development in infrastructure and talent, India could emerge as a leading table tennis nation in the coming years.
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