IndianOil UTT Season 6: U Mumba Fight Back from the Brink, Dethrone Defending Champions Dempo Goa Challengers 8–7 to Reach Final
U Mumba will face Jaipur Patriots in the Grand Finale on June 15, live on Star Sports Khel, Star Sports 2 Tamil, and JioHotstar
Ahmedabad, June 14, 2025:
U Mumba TT scripted a dramatic comeback to defeat reigning champions Dempo Goa Challengers in the second semi-final of IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 6. Trailing 4–7, U Mumba won the final four games to seal a thrilling 8–7 victory and book their first-ever spot in the Grand Finale. All ties this season are broadcast live on Star Sports Khel and Star Sports 2 Tamil, and streamed on JioHotstar.
With Goa just one game away from securing a place in the final and U Mumba requiring a clean sweep in the last rubber, Yashaswini Ghorpade delivered under immense pressure. She won back-to-back games before clinching the decider 11–10 in a nerve-racking finish. U Mumba will now face Jaipur Patriots on Sunday, June 15, ensuring a new name is etched on the IndianOil UTT champions list.
Photos : Ankur Salvi / Focus Sports / UTT
Organised under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani, IndianOil UTT has grown into a premier professional league. All 23 ties are being staged at Ahmedabad’s EKA Arena over 16 action-packed days, with tickets available exclusively on BookMyShow.
Dempo Goa Challengers made a strong start through Harmeet Desai, who delivered a composed 3–0 win over Lilian Bardet, sealing the third game on Golden Point after Bardet had rallied from 2–6 down. U Mumba hit back through Bernadette Szocs, who handed Zeng Jian her first loss of the season. Szocs took the opening two games with sharp counterplay before Zeng salvaged the third 11–7.
The mixed doubles rubber saw U Mumba claw back further as Akash Pal and Szocs overcame a 3–6 deficit to win games one and three, clinching the tie 2–1 and trimming Goa’s lead to 5–4 heading into the final matches.
Vitor Ishiy nearly closed out the tie for Dempo Goa, racing through the first two games against Abhinandh PB with commanding 11–6 and 11–4 wins. But Abhinandh refused to let U Mumba’s campaign end without a fight. Trailing 6–9 in the third, he produced four straight points to take the game 11–9, keeping his team’s hopes alive heading into the final rubber.
In the deciding match, Yashaswini Ghorpade seized the moment, defeating Krittwika Sinha Roy in three tightly contested games to take U Mumba into their maiden IndianOil UTT final. For her outstanding performance, Yashaswini was named both the Indian Player of the Tie and the recipient of the Shot of the Tie, while Szocs claimed the Foreign Player of the Tie honour.
Final Scores
U Mumba TT 8–7 Dempo Goa Challengers
- Lilian Bardet lost to Harmeet Desai 0–3 (8–11, 4–11, 10–11)
- Bernadette Szocs bt. Zeng Jian 2–1 (11–5, 11–9, 7–11)
- Akash Pal / Bernadette Szocs bt. Harmeet Desai / Zeng Jian 2–1 (11–8, 8–11, 11–9)
- Abhinandh PB lost to Vitor Ishiy 1–2 (6–11, 4–11, 11–9)
- Yashaswini Ghorpade bt. Krittwika Sinha Roy 3–0 (11–9, 11–9, 11–10)
ENDS
About Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT)
Launched in 2017, Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) is India’s premier franchise-based table tennis league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). Now an eight-team competition, UTT features 48 world-class players competing for the coveted title. The league continues to attract elite athletes and coaches from India and across the globe, including Olympic, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games medalists. UTT also supports the sport through sponsorship of national ranking tournaments, the Table Tennis Super League, and co-organisation of WTT events in India. With each edition, UTT enhances its stature as a global table tennis spectacle, helping elevate the sport and inspire future generations.