The Indian table tennis team kicked off its singles campaign at the Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025 in Manama, Bahrain, with a series of commanding performances in the group stages.
A total of six players three boys and three girls representing India and all six advanced to the knockout rounds, confirming the nation’s growing depth at the youth level. The AYG, running from October 22 to 31, is one of Asia’s most prestigious multi-sport events and a key pathway toward qualification for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. For Indian paddlers, it’s not just about medals it’s about gaining exposure to continental competition, adapting to new playing styles, and testing their readiness against Asia’s best young talent.
Boys: Ritvik, Sahil, and Sarthak Lead a Strong Start
India’s boys’ singles campaign opened with a display of precision and dominance, led by Ritvik Gupta, Sahil Rawat, and Sarthak Arya.
Ritvik Gupta, seeded 15th, topped his group with effortless ease. He began with a 3–0 victory over Hashem (Bahrain), followed by another 3–0 win against Ankhbayar (Mongolia). His smooth progression as group topper (1Q) earned him a Round of 32 berth, where he was set to face Christian (Indonesia) on October 28 at 18:15 IST. Known for his quick transition play and attacking mindset, Ritvik has been one of India’s most consistent performers in the U17 category and a key member of the Indian team that won silver at the Asian Youth Championships earlier in the year.
His upcoming match against Indonesia’s representative a nation known for producing technically sharp paddlers is expected to be a critical test of composure and adaptability.
Sahil Rawat (17) also progressed as a group winner, defeating Nisham (Maldives) 3–0 and Al-Abdulla (Qatar) 3–1. His Round of 32 match against Amiri (Iran) was scheduled for October 28 at 17:40 IST. Rawat, who combines control-based rallies with sharp counters, faces one of the most tactically challenging styles in Asia. Iranian paddlers often use unconventional grips and deceptive variations, and this match is seen as a crucial benchmark for Sahil’s ability to handle continental diversity in play styles.
Meanwhile, Sarthak Arya, ranked 28th, had a mixed start. He lost 1–3 to Man (Hong Kong) but bounced back with a 3–1 victory over Marin (Philippines) to qualify second from his group. Sarthak was slated to meet Zhou (China) in the Round of 32 one of the toughest draws possible. A U15 WTT Youth Contender gold medallist, Sarthak’s match against the Chinese opponent is being viewed as a learning opportunity at the highest youth level. Even if results don’t go his way, the experience of facing a Chinese main draw player at the AYG is invaluable for his long-term development.
Girls: Divyanshi, Hansini, and Syndrela Carry India’s Medal Hopes
The Indian girls’ team, led by some of the country’s most promising young paddlers, matched the boys’ performances with a flawless opening day.
Divyanshi Bhowmick, seeded fourth, was the standout. The reigning U15 Asian Champion and World No. 1 in U19 doubles with partner Syndrela Das, Divyanshi began her campaign with clinical ease. She defeated Wei (China) 3–0 an extraordinary result considering China’s dominance in youth table tennis and followed it up with another 3–0 win over Xaiphetvong (Laos). Advancing as the top seed from her group, she then maintained her form in the Round of 32, defeating Vijittham (Thailand) 3–0. She will next face Lin (Chinese Taipei) in the Round of 16 on October 29 at 14:05 IST.
Divyanshi’s technical sharpness and fearless attacking style have made her one of India’s brightest medal prospects. Her earlier continental triumphs suggest she has the temperament for big stages, and if she can maintain this momentum, she stands a strong chance of entering the quarterfinals a stage that would mark her first AYG medal contention appearance.
Hansini Mathan (16), another exciting talent, produced a clean sweep in her group. She defeated Ahmed (Yemen), Fu (Kazakhstan), and Adam (Maldives) all by identical 3–0 margins to finish as group topper (1Q). She will now face Batmunkh (Mongolia) in the Round of 32. Hansini’s composure under pressure has been one of her defining traits, and her consistent domestic performances make her a strong bet for a deep run into the knockout rounds.
Syndrela Das (5), currently ranked among the top five in the U19 world doubles circuit, has transitioned impressively to singles play. She began with a 3–0 victory over Putri (Indonesia) before edging past Vijittham (Thailand) 3–2 in a tense, five-game encounter to top her group. In the Round of 32, she dispatched Fu (Kazakhstan) 3–0, setting up a much-anticipated Round of 16 clash against Wei (China) on October 29 at 13:30 IST.
The matchup between Syndrela and Wei is likely to be one of the most intriguing of the tournament. Wei, known for her compact technique and mid-distance consistency, is a challenging opponent, but Syndrela’s close-table control and tactical awareness make her capable of staging an upset.
The Indian team’s performance in Bahrain builds on a successful year for the youth program. Earlier in 2025, India claimed multiple medals at the Asian Youth Championships in Tashkent, led by Bhowmick’s gold in U15 singles and a team silver in the boys’ category. The AYG, however, presents a more demanding platform with mixed age categories and condensed schedules testing endurance and adaptability.
With six players making the knockout rounds, India has already shown that its next generation is ready to challenge the continent’s best. The challenge now lies in sustaining that intensity as the draw narrows. Facing Chinese, Japanese, Iranian, and Korean opponents in elimination matches will reveal how close Indian paddlers are to bridging Asia’s top-tier gap.
The knockout rounds on October 28 and 29 will decide who advances to the quarterfinals. Wins here would guarantee top-eight finishes and push India into medal contention. With Divyanshi and Syndrela leading the girls’ charge and Ritvik and Sahil in good rhythm on the boys’ side, India could be on the brink of one of its best-ever performances in youth continental table tennis. More than just wins and losses, the performances so far underline one clear truth India’s young paddlers are playing with conviction, structure, and belief.
If they can carry this consistency through the next 48 hours, Bahrain 2025 might well be remembered as the moment when India’s youth table tennis officially arrived on Asia’s biggest stage.
