London, India's men's and women's teams are set to compete in the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships, commencing here on Tuesday, with a mix of promise and pressure.
The Indian men's team, featuring Manav Thakkar, G. Sathiyan, Manush Shah, Harmeet Desai, and Payas Jain, is placed in Group 7 and is expected to start as favourites against Slovakia, Tunisia, and Guatemala.
However, the absence of Sharath Kamal's experience in crunch ties could test India's composure, particularly in tight five-match encounters.
The women's team, led by Manika Batra, finds itself in Group 6 alongside Ukraine, Uganda, and Rwanda, with Ukraine presenting a more tangible threat.
India's recent history at this event offers both encouragement and caution, with both teams advancing to the knockout stage in 2024 but exiting in the Round of 32.
The format in London raises the stakes further, with only group winners guaranteed direct entry into the main draw.
For India to achieve a deeper run than 2024, the team must convert its numerical advantage into clinical performances and avoid slipping into the uncertainties of second place.
