From Medium Pips to Major Dreams: How Abhinandh PB is Emerging as Indian Table Tennis' Next Big Hope

When Abhinandh Pradhivadhi Bhayankaram, Abhinandh PB, walked onto the table to face France's Lilian Bardet in the opening week of Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7, the odds were stacked against him.

Bardet was a seasoned international, a former teammate from U Mumba TT, and someone who knew Abhinandh's game intimately. Yet, the young Indian produced one of the performances of the tournament, defeating the Frenchman in straight games and announcing himself as one of the league's breakout stars.

For followers of Indian table tennis, however, the result was hardly a surprise.

Behind that statement victory lies more than a decade of structured coaching, relentless improvement, and a unique playing style that has steadily transformed the Chennai youngster into one of India's most exciting prospects.

Abhinandh's sporting journey did not begin with a table tennis racket. As a child, he initially showed exceptional hand-eye coordination through competitive darts before his parents, PB Muralidharan and Shanti Muralidharan, recognised his potential and introduced him to table tennis.

In 2012, they enrolled him at the newly established Chennai Achievers Professional Table Tennis Academy. It proved to be a life-changing decision.

Within a year, Abhinandh had progressed from basic drills to reaching quarterfinals and semifinals at regional tournaments, giving an early indication of the talent that would later emerge on the international stage.

The Medium-Pips Advantage

Modern table tennis is dominated by players using inverted rubber on both sides of the racket, relying on heavy topspin exchanges. Abhinandh chose a different path.

His game revolves around a highly distinctive combination of an aggressive forehand and a medium-pips backhand rubber that disrupts rhythm, neutralises spin and forces opponents out of their comfort zone. Instead of engaging in long topspin rallies, he constantly changes pace, flattens the trajectory of the ball and creates opportunities to attack with his forehand.

The tactical variation has troubled opponents from across the world, particularly players who rarely encounter high-level medium-pips specialists. Combined with deceptive service variations and an aggressive third-ball attack, it has become the hallmark of his game.

While his technical game has always stood out, Abhinandh believes the biggest transformation over the past year has been psychological. Speaking during UTT Season 7, he revealed that much of his recent progress has come from improving his mindset rather than simply refining his strokes.

"Compared to last year, this year was a very good performance for me. Winning two medals for India and reaching the quarterfinals in singles came because, with my coach, we discussed more about the mental game instead of only the skill game. Unless your mindset improves, you won't improve overall," he said.

That approach was evident during the Asian Youth Championships.

Against China in the team semifinals, Abhinandh found himself trailing 10-5 in the deciding game against the eventual singles champion.

Instead of panicking, he simplified his thinking.

"I told myself there was nothing to lose. Just play free. Don't give away the point yourself. Make them earn it." He recovered to win 13-11, one of the defining victories of his young career.

Abhinandh's rise has accelerated rapidly over the past two seasons. He played a crucial role in India's historic silver medal at the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships, anchoring the team in pressure situations. He followed that with another strong international campaign that included medals at the Asian Youth Championships and a runner-up finish at the WTT Youth Star Contender in Doha after an impressive run through the draw.

Abhinandh PB has steadily established himself as one of India's most consistent performers on the World Table Tennis (WTT) youth circuit, delivering strong results against some of the world's best junior paddlers. His breakthrough came with a silver medal at the WTT Youth Star Contender Skopje 2025, where he reached the U-19 boys' singles final before narrowly losing 2-3 to Japan's Shunto Iwaida in a closely contested match.

He followed that performance with another impressive run at the WTT Youth Star Contender Doha 2026, defeating Slovakia's Samuel Arpas and Kazakhstan's Alan Kurmangaliyev in straight games to reach the final. There, he pushed Iranian prodigy Benyamin Faraji to five games before finishing runner-up in another high-quality contest.

At home, he has also established himself among India's leading juniors, winning national and state honours while successfully transitioning into senior competition. Each tournament has added another layer to his development.

If international events tested his technical ability, Ultimate Table Tennis has tested his temperament. After helping U Mumba TT win the title last season, Abhinandh joined Dempo Goa Challengers for Season 7. The move came with expectations, but the youngster embraced the challenge.

Reflecting on the auction, he admitted he was initially unsure whether he would even be picked before Goa called his name.

"I was very excited to join Goa. They're already two-time champions. Everyone in the team has been really welcoming. Playing at home also gives me extra energy," he said.

His performances have justified that confidence.

Victories over Lilian Bardet, Payas Jain and Ankur Bhattacharjee have kept him unbeaten, while his fearless approach has made him one of the standout Indian players of the tournament.

The Influence of Coach MB Subin Kumar

Every successful athlete has a guiding influence, and for Abhinandh that figure is MB Subin Kumar. An ITTF High Performance-certified coach, Subin recognised Abhinandh's potential when he joined Chennai Achievers as one of the academy's earliest students.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/smashing-limits-in-conversation-with-indias-table-tennis-star-abhinandh-pradhivadhi

More than fourteen years later, that relationship remains intact.

Subin's role has extended beyond technical coaching. Over the past year, the duo has consciously shifted their focus towards improving Abhinandh's mental strength, helping him remain composed during high-pressure matches. Their long-term continuity has provided stability rarely seen in elite sport, allowing coach and player to build trust over more than a decade.

Abhinandh himself credits those discussions with helping him perform better in crucial moments, particularly against stronger international opponents.

A Family Built Around Table Tennis

Table tennis is a family affair in the PB household. His younger sister, M. Ananya, is herself one of India's brightest young talents. The siblings frequently analyse each other's matches, exchange tactical ideas and even partner in mixed doubles. According to Abhinandh, their understanding goes well beyond the practice hall.

"She knows me completely. Even if I'm not playing well, she gives me confidence and sometimes takes the lead in mixed doubles. We discuss table tennis a lot at home," he said.

Their partnership has already produced international success, including a WTT mixed doubles title, while both continue to climb the national rankings.

Despite his growing list of achievements, Abhinandh remains focused on the bigger picture. Beating Chinese players at the youth level has given him confidence, but not satisfaction.

"It's only youth level. I want to beat them in senior competition. Beating the world No. 1 in the senior circuit that's when I'll be satisfied. And even then, I'll want to beat them again," he said with a smile.

That ambition reflects the mindset of a player who sees every milestone as another step rather than the destination.

Abhinandh has also showcased his versatility in doubles events. Alongside his sister M. Ananya, he won the mixed doubles title at a WTT event in Norway, a partnership he describes as being built on mutual understanding and constant communication.

His performances on the WTT circuit have demonstrated not only technical quality but also growing mental resilience. Regular exposure against top-ranked players from China, Japan, Iran and Europe has accelerated his development, while consistent deep runs in elite youth tournaments have helped establish him as one of India's leading prospects transitioning towards the senior international circuit.

With a distinctive playing style, a long-standing partnership with coach MB Subin Kumar, growing international experience, and the confidence gained from competing in Ultimate Table Tennis, Abhinandh PB has positioned himself among the brightest prospects in Indian table tennis.

The journey to the senior international circuit is only beginning, but the foundations are firmly in place. If his recent performances are any indication, Indian table tennis may soon have another player capable of challenging the world's very best.