India is all set to compete at the FISU World University Games 2025, scheduled to be held from 17th to 24th July in Germany (Rhine-Ruhr region).
The Indian table tennis squad, featuring a mix of rising university talents, will participate across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, aiming to make a mark against some of the best student-athletes in the world.
While the initial squad announcement included Radhapriya Goel and Syed Ali Abbas, it has now been confirmed that these two players will not be part of the travelling team. The revised Indian lineup features five men and five women, each representing the country in multiple categories.
Final Squad
Men:
- Harkunwar Singh
- Chitwan Wadhwa
- Murad Ayas Abubakar
- Devarsh Vaghela
Women:
- Taneesha Kotecha
- Pritha Vartikar
- Suhana Saini
- Sayali Wani
With the updated squad, the team combinations for doubles and mixed doubles have been finalized.
Doubles and Mixed Doubles Combinations
In the men’s doubles events:
- Murad Ayas Abubakar & Devarsh Vaghela will form the first men’s doubles pair (MD1).
- Chitwan Wadhwa & Harkunwar Singh will team up as the second men’s doubles pair (MD2).
For the women’s doubles:
- Suhana Saini & Pritha Vartikar will be the first women’s doubles pair (WD1).
- Taneesha Kotecha & Sayali Wani will make up the second pair (WD2).
In mixed doubles:
- Harkunwar Singh & Suhana Saini will feature as the first mixed doubles pair (XD1).
- Murad Ayas Abubakar & Pritha Vartikar will play as the second pair (XD2).
This balanced approach allows India to field competitive teams across all draws while giving exposure to multiple athletes.
Group Stage Draw & Fixtures
The team events have attracted strong participation, with 24 teams in the men’s competition and 23 teams in the women’s section. India has been placed in challenging groups in both.
Men’s Team Event
India is drawn into Group 3 alongside:
- Japan – traditionally one of the powerhouses in world university table tennis.
- Colombia – an emerging team with athletic and attacking players.
Fixtures:
- 17 July: India vs Japan
- 18 July: India vs Colombia
The top teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stages, making the clash with Japan a particularly high-stakes encounter.
Women’s Team Event
India finds itself in Group 5, which includes:
- Romania – a European team known for its disciplined defensive style.
- Netherlands – featuring young players from strong club circuits.
Fixtures:
- 17 July: India vs Romania
- 18 July: India vs Netherlands
The format means that consistency across singles and doubles matches will be crucial, as every match win adds to the team’s overall score.
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Indian Participation in Singles Events
Besides team competitions, all eight Indian players will also participate in:
- Men’s and women’s singles
- Men’s and women’s doubles
- Mixed doubles
This offers invaluable experience on the international stage and the chance to challenge athletes from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
What to Watch For
- Murad Ayas Abubakar & Devarsh Vaghela (MD1): Known for aggressive counter-attacks, they will be crucial in securing early leads.
- Suhana Saini & Pritha Vartikar (WD1): Suhana’s international exposure combined with Pritha’s steady backhand gives India a balanced first pair.
- Singh & Saini (XD1): Their pairing combines Singh’s speed at the table with Saini’s tactical awareness, aiming to surprise stronger teams.
The FISU World University Games, often dubbed the “Olympics for students”, is among the world’s largest multi-sport events after the Olympics themselves. For India, participating here serves multiple purposes:
- Exposure: Competing against top student-athletes from table tennis strongholds like China, Japan, and Europe.
- Development: Bridging the gap between junior-level national competitions and the senior international stage.
- Building depth: Identifying future stars who could eventually represent India at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, or even the Olympics.
The Road Ahead
After a strong showing in recent domestic university tournaments, the Indian team will aim to translate that form into wins against higher-ranked opponents. The fixtures against Japan (men) and Romania (women) will be the real test, as these teams traditionally perform well in continental and global events.
While medals would be historic, the primary goal remains gaining experience, improving international rankings, and testing India’s bench strength.
As the FISU World University Games 2025 unfold in Germany, all eyes will be on this young Indian table tennis squad. Balancing promise, determination, and teamwork, they carry not just the tricolour on their shirts but also the hopes of the next generation of Indian paddlers.
Best of luck to Team India! 🇮🇳🏓
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