India’s young table tennis stars Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhivadhi delivered a standout performance to clinch the U-19 Boys’ Doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025.
In a tightly contested final held in the Thai capital, the Indian pair defeated South Korea’s Lee Jungmok and Choi Jiwook 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7) to seal the championship.
The match lasted just over 30 minutes and saw the Indians maintain composure and tactical superiority throughout.
This victory is a significant milestone not only for the young pair but also for Indian table tennis, as it extends the nation’s remarkable streak of winning at least one title at the WTT Youth Star Contender events for the fourth consecutive year.
Calm Under Pressure, Class in Execution
Bhattacharjee and Pradhivadhi entered the final with strong momentum, having displayed excellent chemistry and control in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
Against the Korean duo in the final, the Indians struck first, taking the opening game 11-8 with aggressive yet calculated play. Their quick hands at the table and clever placement kept their opponents on the back foot.
The Koreans, however, responded well in the second game, tightening their defence and capitalising on a few errors from the Indian side to level the match 1-1 with an 11-8 scoreline.
But it was in the third game that Bhattacharjee and Pradhivadhi truly came into their own. After a tense start, they pulled away in the latter half of the game to take it 11-8, regaining control of the match.
In the fourth and final game, the Indian duo stepped up their intensity. With sharp forehand flicks from Ankur and consistent backhand blocks from Abhinandh, they dictated the pace. They closed out the match 11-7 to secure the biggest title of their young careers so far.
A Victory Beyond the Scoreboard
This title win is not just a trophy—it’s a sign of India’s growing presence in international table tennis. Over the last few years, India has steadily built its reputation in youth tournaments under the WTT umbrella, and this latest success reaffirms that trajectory.
Bhattacharjee and Pradhivadhi’s win in Bangkok follows a string of Indian successes at Youth Star Contender events, maintaining a four-year streak of at least one Indian title per edition—a remarkable feat that highlights the depth of India’s youth talent pool.
What makes this performance even more impressive is the strength of the competition. The WTT Youth Star Contender events attract top junior players from powerhouse countries like China, Korea, Japan, and the host nations. To stand out in such a field takes not only technical ability but mental strength and a deep understanding of the game. Ankur and Abhinandh showed all of that and more.
Near Misses in Other Finals
While the U-19 Boys’ Doubles gold medal was the highlight, India had two more pairs featuring in finals at the Bangkok event. Syndrela Das and Divyanshi Bhowmick reached the final of the U-19 Girls’ Doubles, where they took on a strong home team from Thailand. The Indian pair fought hard but eventually went down 1-3 in the final.
In the U-15 Girls’ Doubles category, Riana Bhootia and Ananya Murlidharan also made it to the final. Facing a technically superior Chinese pair, the Indians managed to take one game but lost the match 1-3, settling for a silver medal.
Despite the losses, having three Indian pairs reach the finals in three different categories at a WTT Youth Star Contender is a remarkable achievement in itself. It reflects the strong development structure and the increasing quality of training at the sub-junior and junior levels in India.
The results from Bangkok come at an important time for Indian table tennis, as the focus begins to shift towards preparing the next generation for senior-level challenges. With players like Ankur and Abhinandh showing they can handle international pressure and deliver results, India’s future in doubles—and possibly in singles—is in safe hands.
The table tennis fraternity in India will now be watching closely as these young stars continue their journey through the rest of the WTT Youth Series and beyond. With proper support, exposure, and development, they could well be knocking on the doors of the senior national team in the near future.
For now, the spotlight rightly shines on Ankur Bhattacharjee and Abhinandh Pradhivadhi—WTT Youth Star Contender Bangkok 2025 champions, and torchbearers of India’s rising table tennis revolution.
