India Shine at WTT Feeder Istanbul II: Swastika Ghosh and Taneesha Kotecha Clinch Women's Doubles Title
Indian table tennis enjoyed another successful week on the international circuit as Swastika Ghosh emerged as the standout performer at the WTT Feeder Istanbul II in Türkiye.
The young paddler capped off an impressive campaign by winning the women's doubles title alongside Taneesha Kotecha while also finishing as the mixed doubles runner-up with Ankur Bhattacharjee. Adding to India's strong showing, wildcard entrant Sayali Wani reached the women's singles semifinals after producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, underlining the growing depth in Indian table tennis.
The performances in Istanbul continue India's encouraging run across WTT events in 2026, with several young players consistently challenging higher-ranked international opponents.
The biggest success of the tournament came in the women's doubles event. Swastika Ghosh and Taneesha Kotecha displayed excellent chemistry throughout the week before producing a dominant performance in the final. Facing the Dutch-Slovenian combination of Shuohan Men and Ana Tofant, the Indian pair remained in complete control to register a convincing 3-0 victory (11-8, 11-8, 11-7).
Despite each game remaining competitive, Swastika and Taneesha consistently delivered the stronger points during crucial moments. Their aggressive returns, quick exchanges near the table and seamless coordination allowed them to dictate play from the opening game. Winning the final in straight games reflected the consistency they had shown throughout the tournament and added another international title to India's growing list of successes on the WTT circuit.
Swastika came remarkably close to leaving Istanbul with two titles. Partnering Ankur Bhattacharjee in the mixed doubles competition, the Indian pair enjoyed an excellent run to the final.
Seeded fourth, they overcame several strong combinations before facing the AIN pair of Vladimir Tikhonov and Maria Panfilova in the championship match. The final lived up to expectations. Both pairs exchanged momentum throughout an intense five-game contest before the experienced AIN duo edged the decider to claim a 3-2 victory, leaving Swastika and Ankur to settle for the silver medal.
Although the defeat was disappointing, finishing runners-up represented another excellent result for one of India's most promising mixed doubles partnerships.
One of the standout performances during their run came in the quarterfinals against the Japanese pair of Ono and Okada. Bhattacharjee and Ghosh produced a composed display to secure a 3-1 victory (11-7, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8). The third game briefly threatened to shift momentum after the Japanese duo staged a late comeback, but the Indians responded confidently in the fourth to book their semifinal place.
Their ability to recover after losing a close game demonstrated the composure that carried them all the way to the final.
Ankur Bhattacharjee also enjoyed a strong campaign in the men's doubles alongside Payas Jain. The Indian pair reached the semifinals before suffering a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat against Japan's Yoshiyama brothers. After taking the opening two games 11-7, 13-11, Bhattacharjee and Jain appeared well placed to secure a place in the final.
However, the Japanese pair gradually fought their way back into the contest. The turning point arrived in the fourth game, where the Indians held game points but were unable to convert them, eventually losing 12-14. The momentum shifted decisively in the fifth game as the Yoshiyama brothers completed the comeback victory.
Despite the disappointment, Bhattacharjee and Jain once again demonstrated their ability to compete against one of the strongest doubles combinations in the tournament.
Another major positive for India came through Sayali Wani. Competing as a wildcard entrant, Sayali produced one of the tournament's biggest surprises by defeating Maria Panfilova in a thrilling 3-2 quarterfinal. The victory earned the young Indian a place in the women's singles semifinals and showcased her ability to compete against experienced international opposition.
Although her run eventually ended in the last four, reaching the semifinals represents another important milestone in her development. The result also highlights the growing pool of talented Indian women's singles players making an impact on the international stage.
The overall performances in Istanbul underline the strength and depth currently emerging within Indian table tennis. Swastika Ghosh once again demonstrated her versatility by excelling in multiple events, while Ankur Bhattacharjee continued to establish himself as one of India's leading doubles specialists. Taneesha Kotecha's title-winning performance and Sayali Wani's semifinal run further strengthened India's presence across the tournament.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect was the consistency displayed by the young Indian players. Rather than relying on isolated upsets, several athletes advanced deep into their respective draws and challenged some of the strongest international competitors.
The WTT Feeder circuit plays a crucial role in the development of emerging players by offering valuable ranking points and exposure against quality opposition. For India's young paddlers, tournaments like Istanbul provide opportunities to build confidence before progressing to higher-level WTT Contender and Star Contender events.
Swastika Ghosh's title, the mixed doubles silver, Sayali Wani's semifinal appearance and Bhattacharjee's multiple deep runs collectively represent another productive week for Indian table tennis.
As the season progresses, these performances will not only improve world rankings but also strengthen India's prospects at major international competitions, where the country's next generation continues to show it has the talent to compete with the very best.
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