TTFI Announces India’s Table Tennis Squad for Asian Games 2026; G Sathiyan, Sreeja Akula Lead Charge
The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has unveiled the Indian squads for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, naming a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and rising stars to represent the country at one of Asia’s most prestigious sporting events.
The table tennis competition at the 20th Asian Games is scheduled to take place from September 20 to 28, with India aiming to build on its recent progress on the continental stage. The federation has based its selections primarily on world rankings and national rankings, rewarding players who have consistently delivered strong performances over an extended period.
Leading the men’s team is veteran G Sathiyan, who returns as one of India’s most accomplished paddlers. A multiple-time Commonwealth Games medallist and one of the country’s most experienced internationals, Sathiyan will spearhead a squad that combines stability with youthful promise.
Joining him are Harmeet Desai, Manav Vikas Thakkar, and Manush Shah, all of whom have established themselves as regular performers on the international circuit. The fifth spot in the squad goes to Payas Jain, whose impressive performances in domestic competitions and international events have earned him a deserved opportunity to compete at the Asian Games.
The selection of Payas reflects India’s growing depth in men’s table tennis and signals the federation’s willingness to back emerging talent capable of making an impact at the highest level.
To ensure flexibility ahead of the Games, Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ronit Bhanja have been named as reserve players. Their inclusion provides additional cover in the event of injuries or unforeseen circumstances before the team travels to Japan. On the women’s side, Sreeja Akula headlines a squad that blends experience with exciting young talent. One of India’s most consistent performers in recent years, Sreeja has established herself among the country’s leading players through a series of strong international results and will be expected to play a pivotal role in both the team and individual events.
She will be joined by Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Sutirtha Mukherjee, and Syndrela Das, creating a squad with a healthy balance of established names and players who have steadily risen through the national ranks.
The reserve list also features notable names. Swastika Ghosh and Manika Batra have been named as standby players, highlighting the depth of competition within Indian women’s table tennis. While Manika has been one of India’s most recognisable table tennis stars over the past decade, the federation’s selection policy based on rankings demonstrates its emphasis on current form and objective performance metrics. The decision to rely primarily on world and national rankings provides transparency to the selection process and rewards consistency rather than isolated performances. It also reflects a broader trend within Indian sport, where measurable criteria are increasingly being used to identify athletes best positioned to succeed on the international stage.
The challenge awaiting the Indian squad in Aichi-Nagoya will be formidable. Asian table tennis remains dominated by traditional powerhouses such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei, nations that regularly produce Olympic and World Championship medallists. Breaking into the medal positions will require Indian players to perform at their absolute best across both team and singles events.
Nevertheless, Indian table tennis has shown encouraging progress over the last few years. Successes on the Commonwealth stage, improved performances in World Table Tennis events and the emergence of young players have strengthened the country’s competitive depth.
The men’s squad boasts a blend of experience and attacking flair, while the women’s team combines tactical maturity with youthful energy. Players such as Sreeja Akula and Manav Vikas Thakkar have demonstrated their ability to compete against higher-ranked opponents, while youngsters like Payas Jain and Diya Chitale represent the next generation of Indian table tennis. With several months remaining before the Games, preparation will now become the primary focus. International exposure, training camps and participation in ranking events will be crucial in fine-tuning performances ahead of the continental showpiece.
The Asian Games offer more than just medals they provide an opportunity for Indian paddlers to test themselves against the strongest opposition in the world and continue narrowing the gap with Asia’s elite nations.
As India looks to make its mark in Aichi-Nagoya, the selected squads will carry both expectations and opportunity. If the blend of experience and youth clicks at the right moment, the country could once again produce memorable performances on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.
India’s Table Tennis Squad for the 2026 Asian Games
Men: G Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Manav Vikas 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
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