The draws for the China Smash, one of the premier events on the World Table Tennis (WTT) calendar, have been revealed, and three of India’s top paddlers are set to take their place on a stage reserved for the sport’s elite.
Manav Thakkar, Manika Batra, and Sreeja Akula will represent India in the men’s and women’s singles draws, each carrying distinct ambitions and storylines as they prepare to face the world’s best.
In the men’s singles, Manav Thakkar shoulders the responsibility of spearheading India’s challenge. Thakkar enters the tournament as India’s top-ranked male player and one of the country’s most consistent performers over the past year.
His opening-round draw against Australia’s Finn Luu presents a winnable opportunity and a chance to build momentum in a tournament known for its unforgiving competition.
Thakkar’s steady rise in the rankings has been built on disciplined training and a focus on tactical improvements, particularly in his serve-and-receive game. His recent form reflects this progress. Heading into the China Smash, he boasts an 80% win rate over his last five matches, including key victories in European league play.
A first-round win would likely set up a second-round clash with a seeded opponent, a test that will demand the same aggressive mindset that has marked his best performances. For Indian men’s table tennis, which continues to search for a regular presence in the latter stages of top-tier tournaments, Thakkar’s run in China could serve as both a personal breakthrough and a signal of the nation’s growing competitiveness.
Manika Batra: Seeking a Spark
For Manika Batra, India’s No. 2 woman the China Smash is another chance to prove why she remains one of the most intriguing and unpredictable players on the circuit. Batra’s opening match pits her against Zong Geman, a young Chinese player known for her speed and precision. It is a tough draw, but Batra is no stranger to daunting assignments.
Over the past few years, Batra has built a reputation as a giant killer. Her 2023 upset of Olympic champion Wang Manyu at a WTT Grand Smash event remains one of the most remarkable wins by an Indian player on the global stage. Using her distinctive long-pimple backhand and a disruptive playing style, Batra thrives on unsettling opponents who are more accustomed to conventional strokes and rhythms.
However, her career has also been defined by inconsistency. Following her high-profile victories, she has struggled with early exits in several major tournaments, often unable to sustain the level of intensity required to string together consecutive wins.
The China Smash provides an ideal setting for Batra to reset and rediscover her best form. A strong start against Zong Geman would not only lift her confidence but also re-establish her as a dangerous floater in the draw.
If she can find her rhythm early and maintain focus, Batra’s ability to create chaos against higher-ranked opponents could once again become a talking point.
Sreeja Akula: Rising Star on a Bigger Stage
Among the three Indian players, Sreeja Akula represents the freshest wave of optimism. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season, highlighted by her historic singles title at the WTT Contender Lagos earlier this year. That victory propelled her to a career-best ranking of world No. 24 and marked her arrival as a player capable of challenging the top tier.
Akula’s opening-round draw at the China Smash is against a qualifier, offering her a comparatively gentle start. But the tournament’s depth means that any second-round matchup is likely to feature a seeded opponent.
Akula’s recent experience at the WTT Champions Macao illustrates the step up in competition she faces at this level. There, she suffered a straight-games defeat to former world champion Zhu Yuling, a result that underscored the fine margins separating Contender-level success from Champions-level competitiveness.
Still, Akula’s game continues to develop. Known for her powerful forehand and quick transitions, she combines sharp attacking instincts with an improving defensive structure.
The China Smash will test her ability to adapt to the pace and consistency of the world’s very best, but it also offers the kind of exposure and experience that can accelerate her climb up the rankings.
The China Smash is not just another tournament. As one of the most prestigious events on the WTT calendar, it offers maximum ranking points and attracts the deepest field outside of the World Championships and Olympics. For Indian players, participation alone provides invaluable experience, but the opportunity to win matches and possibly advance into the later rounds carries even greater significance.
Indian table tennis has made steady progress in recent years, with players achieving historic wins at Contender and Star Contender levels. Yet bridging the gap to the Champions and Grand Smash tiers remains the next big challenge. Performances at events like the China Smash reveal not only where Indian players stand in the global hierarchy but also what improvements are needed to consistently compete with the dominant Chinese, Japanese, and European athletes.
For Thakkar, a strong run could solidify his status as India’s undisputed men’s leader and open doors to further breakthroughs. For Batra, the goal is to harness her unpredictable brilliance and convert it into consistent results. And for Akula, this tournament is about proving that her Lagos triumph was not a one-off but the beginning of a sustained rise.
As the action unfolds in China, Indian fans will be watching closely, hopeful that their stars can deliver moments of inspiration on one of table tennis’s grandest stages. Whether through a deep run, a headline-grabbing upset, or simply the experience gained, the performances of Thakkar, Batra, and Akula will carry significance far beyond the scorelines.
Their journeys in the China Smash represent both a test of current ability and a glimpse into the future of Indian table tennis.
