The stage is set for one of the biggest events on the domestic table tennis calendar as the 87th UTT Inter-State Senior National Table Tennis Championships gets underway at the Abhay Prashal Stadium in Indore from March 14.
India’s top paddlers from across institutional and state teams will compete in a tournament that promises high-quality matches and intense rivalries. This year’s championships have generated additional excitement due to record participation in the singles events, underlining the growing popularity and competitive depth of table tennis in the country.
Memories of Last Year’s Dramatic Finals
The memories of the 2025 edition held in Surat still remain fresh for Indian table tennis followers. In the men’s team final, the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) produced a remarkable comeback to defeat the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) 3–2 after trailing 0–2. The dramatic turnaround allowed PSPB to retain the prestigious Barna Bellak Cup, reaffirming their dominance in the men’s competition.
However, Railways had their moment of redemption in the women’s final. In a marathon contest, RSPB edged PSPB by the same 3–2 margin, lifting the women’s team title and balancing the rivalry between the two institutional giants. As the 2026 championships begin, both PSPB and Railways once again enter the competition as leading contenders.
In the men’s team competition, PSPB appears the strongest side on paper, thanks to a formidable squad filled with experienced internationals. The team will be led by Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar, two of India’s most accomplished paddlers on the international circuit. Their experience and consistency make PSPB a serious contender for the title.
Adding further strength to the lineup is Payas Jain, one of the most promising young paddlers in Indian table tennis. The squad also includes seasoned player Sanil Shetty and youngster Divyansh Srivastava, giving PSPB a well-balanced combination of experience and youth.
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In terms of rankings, PSPB’s top three players collectively hold 775 ranking points, the highest among all participating teams.
Railways Eye Redemption: The Railways Sports Promotion Board, last year’s runners-up in the men’s event, will once again be among the strongest challengers. Railways possess a competitive squad featuring Ronit Bhanja, Akash Pal, and the experienced Anirban Ghosh. Having narrowly missed out on the title in Surat, Railways will be motivated to go one step further this year.
Their ability to perform under pressure in team events has often made them one of the most difficult opponents in the national championships.
State Teams Ready to Challenge: Beyond the institutional teams, several state sides are also expected to challenge the favourites. West Bengal, led by talented paddler Ankur Bhattacharjee, appears to be among the most promising state teams in the men’s competition. Telangana, powered by the technically strong Snehit Suravajjula, also has the capability to upset stronger teams.
Meanwhile, Delhi, Mizoram, and Uttar Pradesh have assembled competitive squads that could produce surprise results as the tournament progresses. With the team format often producing unpredictable outcomes, several underdog teams will be eager to make their mark.
The women’s team competition is expected to be equally competitive. Once again, PSPB leads the strength chart, fielding a powerful lineup featuring Syndrela Das, Swastika Ghosh, Yashaswini Ghorpade, and Sayali Wani. Their top three paddlers together account for 725 ranking points, giving them the highest ranking strength among all teams.
However, PSPB will face stiff competition from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which has a strong squad led by international stars Diya Chitale and Sreeja Akula. Both players have the ability to single-handedly turn matches in favour of their team.
Tamil Nadu also enters the competition with a strong lineup featuring Yashini Sivashankar, Selena Deepti, and Nithyashree Mani. Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Haryana have balanced teams capable of pushing the favourites deep into the competition. Defending champions Railways will also be keen to retain their title, relying on the experience of Sutirtha Mukherjee and the fighting spirit that helped them triumph last year.
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The championships will feature 35 men’s teams and 30 women’s teams, bringing together players from across the country. The event continues to serve as a crucial platform for both established stars and emerging paddlers seeking to break into the national spotlight.
Record Participation in Singles Events
While the team events will kickstart the tournament, the spotlight will soon shift to the individual competitions, particularly the men’s singles event. This year’s men’s singles has attracted nearly 500 entries, the largest participation in the history of the Senior National Table Tennis Championships.
To accommodate the unprecedented numbers, the organisers have expanded the competition format. The main draw will feature 256 players, while the preliminary phase will consist of 156 groups. Players emerging from the group stage will qualify for the main draw, where they will join the top 16 ranked players who receive direct entry.
The record participation highlights the growing depth of Indian table tennis and the increasing number of players competing at the national level.
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The championships will be conducted under the supervision of an experienced officiating team. Mangesh Mopker will serve as the referee, assisted by veteran officials Anil Dubey and A.S. Kler. A team of 60 Blue Badge, international, and national umpires will oversee the matches under the guidance of competition manager N. Ganeshan.
All matches will be played using Stag Global equipment, including tables, flooring, and balls.
With record participation, top international players, and several rising stars competing, the 87th Senior National Table Tennis Championships promises several days of high-quality action in Indore. For India’s paddlers, the tournament represents not only the chance to win national titles but also an opportunity to prove themselves on the country’s biggest domestic stage.
