India's leading table tennis player Manika Batra has publicly questioned her omission from the country's main squad for the Asian Games 2026, expressing disappointment over the selection process and calling for greater transparency.
Batra's Reaction
The 31-year-old Olympian was named among the reserves when the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) announced a 10-member contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Thursday. A day later, Batra voiced her concerns on X, stating, 'My non-selection for the Asian Games 2026 squad is deeply disheartening, with no specific reason communicated.'
She further questioned the consistency of the selection process, noting that different thresholds and considerations were applied in previous cycles. Batra has sought clarity and requested the Prime Minister, Sports Minister, and Indian Olympic Association to ensure transparency and fair application of selection norms.
Selection Criteria
TTFI selected the squad based on a policy that allocates 50% weightage to national rankings, 40% to world rankings, and 10% to the selection committee's discretion. Despite being India's second-highest-ranked women's singles player internationally, Batra failed to make the main squad, largely due to her absence from domestic tournaments, which impacted her national ranking.
Women's Squad
The women's team will be led by Sreeja Akula, India's top-ranked female paddler and world No. 45. The squad also includes Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Sutirtha Mukherjee, and Syndrela Das. Swastika Ghosh and Batra have been named as reserves.
Men's Squad
The men's contingent will be spearheaded by G Sathiyan and features Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, and Payas Jain. Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ronit Bhanja have been listed as reserves.
Batra's Achievements
One of India's most decorated table tennis players, Batra played a key role in the country's breakthrough Asian Games success. Alongside Sharath Kamal, she won mixed doubles bronze at the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games. India's other table tennis medals at the continental showpiece include the men's team bronze in 2018 and the women's doubles bronze secured by Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee at Hangzhou 2023.
The table tennis competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 28.
Full Squads
Men: G Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, Payas Jain. Reserves: Ankur Bhattacharjee, Ronit Bhanja.
Women: Sreeja Akula, Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Sutirtha Mukherjee, Syndrela Das. Reserves: Swastika Ghosh, Manika Batra.
