Indian table tennis enjoyed a strong and confidence-boosting start at the WTT Star Contender Doha, with multiple players successfully navigating the qualifiers to secure spots in the main draw across singles and doubles events.
Against a competitive international field in Qatar, the Indian contingent delivered a series of composed performances, underlining both growing depth and tactical maturity at the WTT Star Contender level. The standout result in the men’s singles qualifiers came from Manush Shah, who showed admirable resilience to edge past Chang Yu-an of Chinese Taipei in a five-game battle. Shah’s 3-2 victory was built on patience and shot selection, particularly in the longer rallies where he absorbed pressure and waited for openings rather than forcing the play.
Chang, known for his early-ball timing, tested Shah repeatedly, but the Indian paddler held his nerve in the decider to book his place in the main draw. For Shah, this win continues a steady upward trajectory in his international campaign, especially in handling close matches against similarly ranked Asian opponents.
In the women’s singles qualifiers, Taneesha Kotecha delivered one of the most clinical performances of the day. Facing Huang Yu-Jie of Chinese Taipei, Kotecha was in complete control from the outset, sealing a straight-games 3-0 win. Her sharp receive game and ability to take the initiative early in rallies denied Huang any rhythm. Kotecha’s performance was a reminder of how far her game has evolved, particularly in terms of consistency and tactical discipline against players who rely on speed and variation.
Another all-Indian clash in the women’s qualifiers saw Swastika Ghosh overcome Yashaswini Ghorpade with a convincing 3-0 scoreline. Ghosh’s ability to dictate play with her forehand and maintain a higher rally tempo proved decisive. While the matchup ensured an Indian presence in the next stage regardless of the result, Ghosh’s authoritative win highlighted her readiness to compete at the main-draw level in Doha.
The doubles events further showcased India’s growing strength, especially in women’s and mixed pairings. In an all-Indian encounter, Yashaswini Ghorpade and Ayhika Mukherjee combined effectively to defeat Swastika Ghosh and Taneesha Kotecha 3-0. Ghorpade and Mukherjee complemented each other well, with Mukherjee’s experience in fast exchanges and Ghorpade’s control from the backhand corner allowing them to dominate the tactical patterns of the match. The straight-games result underlined the pair’s understanding and growing chemistry on the international circuit.
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Perhaps the most commanding doubles performance came from Manika Batra and Diya Chitale, who brushed aside the pairing of Massart (Belgium) and Mirkadi (Kazakhstan) 3-0. Batra’s presence at the table brought immediate authority, while Chitale matched her senior partner with controlled aggression and smart placement. The duo rarely allowed their opponents to settle, constantly varying pace and angles to close out points efficiently. Their qualification into the main draw reinforces India’s credentials in women’s doubles, a discipline where consistency has sometimes lagged behind potential.
Collectively, these results mark a positive opening phase for India at the WTT Star Contender Doha. Moving from qualifiers into the main draw is never straightforward at this level, especially against strong Asian and European opposition accustomed to the demands of the WTT circuit. The Indian players not only crossed that hurdle but did so with performances that reflected tactical clarity rather than reliance on raw shot-making.
The progression of multiple players into the main draw also carries broader significance. Events like the Star Contender provide valuable ranking points and, more importantly, exposure to high-intensity matches against elite competition. For players like Manush Shah and Taneesha Kotecha, these wins serve as validation of their training blocks and international scheduling. For combinations such as Manika Batra–Diya Chitale and Ghorpade–Mukherjee, Doha offers another opportunity to build partnerships ahead of a packed 2026 calendar.
As the main-draw matches begin, the challenge will intensify considerably, with seeded players and established names entering the fray. However, the composure shown by the Indian contingent in the qualifiers suggests they are well-prepared to compete, not merely participate. With multiple entries across singles and doubles, India will be hoping to convert this strong start into deeper runs in Doha, continuing the steady rise of Indian table tennis on the global WTT stage.
