The top-seeded Indian duo of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah will play their maiden final on 15 June at a WTT Contender event
They will be taking on second seeds Lim Jonghoon and Oh Junsung of South Korea in the men’s doubles final at the WTT Contender Skopje 2025, scheduled for 6:15 PM IST in North Macedonia. Indian table tennis continues to carve out a name for itself on the global stage, and on June 15, 2025, another golden opportunity awaits
It’s a marquee clash featuring the top two seeds of the event, and for the Indian pair, it marks not only a shot at a prestigious title but also a major step forward in their evolving doubles partnership.
Indian Duo Storm Into the Final
The journey to the final has been an impressive one for Manav and Manush, showcasing both skill and resilience. In the semifinals, they faced the third-seeded pair of Darko Jorgic (Slovenia) and Deni Kozul, who brought plenty of international experience and firepower. The Indian pair, however, overcame a slow start to take control of the match and win 3–1 (4-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4).
After dropping the opening game rather comprehensively, Manav and Manush found their rhythm with tighter placements and sharper angles. The service-return exchanges improved drastically from the second game onward, and the Indian pair dictated tempo with their well-synced positioning. Manav’s control and Manush’s countering ability proved decisive, as they closed out the match with back-to-back 11-4 wins.
This semifinal win came on the heels of a solid quarterfinal showing, making it a consistent campaign for the Indian pair, who have not dropped more than one game in any match so far.
Maiden Final on the WTT Tour
This will be the first-ever final appearance at a WTT Contender-level event for the Manav-Manush partnership on the WTT Tour. While both players have had individual success at various levels, reaching a final as a doubles pair marks an important milestone.
Manav Thakkar, a former World No. 1 in U-21 singles, currently ranked World No. 48, has been India’s standout paddler in recent years. Manush Shah, a left-handed player known for his deceptive spins and fearless attacking play, complements Manav’s balanced style exceptionally well. Together, their contrasting styles give them tactical flexibility that has paid dividends in Skopje.
Their synergy has only improved with time, and their performance this week suggests that the Indian table tennis ecosystem is beginning to produce consistent doubles contenders on the global stage — an area where India has traditionally lacked depth compared to singles.
Formidable Opponents in the Final
Awaiting them in the final are the South Korean pair Lim Jonghoon and Oh Junsung, the tournament’s second seeds and a seasoned duo in international doubles play. Lim, in particular, is a proven name in world table tennis, known for his powerful forehand and aggressive play near the table.
The Korean duo brings experience and precision, and they too have had a strong campaign at Skopje. Their ability to control rallies and dominate short exchanges could pose a challenge to the Indians. However, if Manav and Manush can impose their pace early and avoid passive play, they are certainly in with a strong chance.
Momentum and Confidence Key for India
The Indian pair enters the final with momentum on their side. Their semifinal performance was arguably their most polished yet, especially the way they recovered from the first-game setback and turned the match in their favor with clear-headed tactics.
Their serves have been well disguised, and their communication mid-rally — a crucial part of high-level doubles play — has been outstanding. Manav’s composure under pressure and Manush’s ability to take calculated risks have complemented each other well, helping them outplay more established pairs over the last few days.
Though the final is their toughest test yet, they’ve shown enough to suggest they belong on this stage. With the added motivation of a first WTT title and India’s growing doubles profile in world table tennis, the stakes could not be higher.
A Rising Doubles Force for India?
Indian table tennis has enjoyed a steady rise in recent years, with historic Commonwealth Games medals, Olympic qualifications, and WTT wins in singles. However, doubles remains an area where Indian players can make significant strides, and success at events like the WTT Contender can play a major role in building a consistent international reputation.
Should Manav and Manush go on to win the final, it could be a breakthrough moment — not just for them personally, but for Indian men’s doubles as a whole. With mixed doubles and men’s doubles increasingly crucial in team competitions and multi-sport events, this pairing could become a long-term asset for Indian table tennis.
The WTT Contender Skopje 2025 men’s doubles final will be a litmus test for Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah. Up against a world-class South Korean team, they will need to draw on every ounce of experience, synergy, and self-belief they’ve built over the course of the tournament.
But if their performances so far are anything to go by, they won’t just be playing for a title — they’ll be playing to announce their arrival on the world stage.
Catch the final live at 6:15 PM IST and witness what could be a defining moment for Indian doubles in table tennis.