India’s young paddlers Syndrela Das and Sarthak Arya etched their names into the history books at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain, winning India’s first-ever doubles medal in table tennis at the continental youth event.
The duo clinched a bronze medal after an intense semifinal battle against China’s Tang Yiren and Hu Yi, going down 2-3 (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 9-11) in a match that had the crowd on its feet. While the dream of reaching the final just slipped away, the Indian pair’s fearless run to the semifinals marked a defining moment for Indian table tennis a sport steadily rising through the ranks in Asia’s most competitive circuit.
A Brave Fight Against Chinese Supremacy
Up against the Chinese pair traditionally dominant in the sport Syndrela and Sarthak began in electric fashion. The Indians took the first two games 11-5 and 11-9, combining sharp serves with aggressive returns that caught their opponents off guard.
Syndrela’s quick reflexes at the table complemented Sarthak’s calculated placement as the duo moved the ball with precision and power. But as expected, the Chinese pair regrouped swiftly. Tang and Hu adapted their strategy, tightening their rallies and forcing longer exchanges.
The momentum began to shift as the Chinese pair clawed back the next two games, 11-9 and 11-8, levelling the contest at 2-2. In the decider, both pairs went point-for-point, trading winners in a tense, high-quality battle. Despite saving two match points, the Indian duo narrowly fell short at 9-11 in the final game, bowing out with their heads held high.
Bronze That Feels Like Gold
The semifinal defeat couldn’t overshadow what Syndrela and Sarthak had already achieved a historic medal for Indian table tennis. Their run to the last four had included a statement-making upset in the quarterfinals, where they stunned the Korean pair Yerim Heo and Seungsoo Lee in a five-game thriller: 11-13, 11-5, 12-10, 11-13, 11-9. That victory ensured India’s first-ever doubles medal in table tennis at the Asian Youth Games, and only the second overall in the sport after a singles podium finish in an earlier edition. The quarterfinal win was particularly significant given Korea’s status as a powerhouse in the doubles format, and it showcased the maturity and belief of the young Indian pair under pressure.
For Syndrela Das, the medal capped an impressive season on the junior circuit, where she has consistently been one of India’s top performers. Her ability to dictate rallies and maintain composure against higher-ranked opponents stood out throughout the competition. Meanwhile, Sarthak Arya, known for his explosive backhand and tactical awareness, has emerged as one of the brightest young prospects in the boys’ division. Together, their chemistry on court built on trust and complementary playing styles became the backbone of India’s bronze-winning campaign.
The two have been part of India’s new generation of paddlers training under national coach S. Raman and foreign expert Massimo Constantini, who have emphasized mental resilience and speed-oriented doubles strategy. The results are starting to show and Bahrain 2025 may well be the turning point for India’s mixed doubles ambitions.
India’s overall table tennis contingent has performed admirably at the 2025 Asian Youth Games, showing signs of depth and growing competitiveness. With players like Divyanshi Bhowmick and Ritvik Gupta also reaching the quarterfinals in their draw, it’s evident that the country’s youth system is producing well-rounded talent capable of challenging Asia’s best. The bronze medal not only added to India’s growing medal tally in Bahrain but also symbolized a significant leap in confidence for the next generation.
It reinforced the idea that Indian paddlers can now go toe-to-toe with traditional powerhouses like China, Japan, and Korea particularly in formats like doubles, which demand sharp coordination and tactical adaptability.
The Asian Youth Games often serve as a glimpse into the future of Asian sport and for India, Syndrela and Sarthak’s performance offers plenty of promise. Their achievement is not just about one medal; it’s a reflection of years of steady progress made at the grassroots and junior levels through programs like the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) development circuit and Khelo India initiatives. As the duo stood on the podium receiving their bronze medals, there was pride but also a spark of unfinished business. Their journey from national camps to international recognition has just begun — and with this milestone, they’ve set a benchmark for future Indian teams.
Result: Mixed Doubles Semifinal:
🇮🇳 Syndrela Das / Sarthak Arya lost to 🇨🇳 Tang Yiren / Hu Yi 2–3 (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 9-11)
🥉 Bronze Medal, India’s first-ever doubles medal in Table Tennis at the Asian Youth Games
From stunning Korea to pushing China to the edge, Syndrela and Sarthak’s campaign was nothing short of extraordinary a defining chapter in India’s young table tennis story.
