Commonwealth Table Tennis: Manush and Sreeja star as India bags a double

Manush Shah won two-in-two as the Indian men edged a spirited Malaysia 3-2 to retain the team title, joining the women’s side atop the podium at the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex on Thursday.

The triumph also helped India avenge the shock league-stage defeat to Malaysia on the opening day of the tournament. Manush led the charge with victories in both his singles, including a gripping all-left-handed duel against Wong Qi Shen that turned the final India’s way.

Earlier, Sreeja Akula-led Indian women overcame surprise finalist Malaysia 3-0. Despite the scoreline, the contest was far from straightforward. Sreeja was stretched to the limit by leftie Karen Anak in an absorbing opening rubber after Swastika Ghosh put India ahead. Yashaswini Ghorpade then breached the dogged defence of chopper Alice Chang to seal the title.

The men’s final, however, hung in the balance until Manush scripted a remarkable comeback against Wong.

Trailing 4-6 in the deciding game, Manush appeared to have been dealt another blow when his topspin dipped into the net. After the point ended, he pointed to a wet mark on his rubber, seemingly caused by sweat that had dripped off Wong’s face on the ball. Since the point had concluded, the umpire awarded the point to Wong.

At 7-4, with momentum firmly in his favour, Wong responded with a remarkable act of sportsmanship. Believing Manush had been unfortunate, the Malaysian deliberately served into the net to concede the next point.

That proved the turning point.

Manush reeled off seven consecutive points, his forehand topspins proving too good for Wong as he completed a stunning comeback.

Although G. Sathiyan was beaten by Tey Hong Yu and Wong later outclassed Manav Thakkar to force the decider, Manush left no room for another twist. Facing Javen Choong in the deciding rubber, he dominated from the outset, sealing India’s title before a near-capacity home crowd erupted in celebration.

The results (final): Women: India bt Malaysia 3-0 (Swastika Ghosh bt Ai Xin Tee 11-7, 11-2, 9-11, 11-9; Sreeja Akula bt Karen Lyne Anak Dick 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 5-11, 11-3; Yashaswini Ghorpade bt Alice Lee Sian Chang 7-11, 11-3, 17-15, 11-5).

Men: India bt Malaysia 3-2 (Manav Thakkar bt Javen Choong 12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5; Manush Shah bt Qi Shen Wong 11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 2-11, 11-7; G. Sathiyan lost to Tey Hong Yu 7-11, 8-11, 10-12; Manav lost to Wong 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 1-11; Manush bt Choong 11-7, 11-4, 11-4).