In a memorable run that showcased grit, synergy and promise, India’s young table tennis duo Payas Jain and Ankur Bhattacharjee captured the silver medal in the Men’s Doubles event at the WTT Contender Buenos Aires 2025.
Competing against a strong international field in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from July 22nd to 27th, the pair produced some of their finest table tennis yet, underlining their potential to become a major force on the global doubles circuit.
The Buenos Aires Contender, part of the World Table Tennis (WTT) circuit and featuring a prize pool of USD 100,000, drew top talents from across the world. For Payas and Ankur, who had contrasting individual results in singles, it was the doubles court where they truly made their mark battling through pressure moments, adapting their strategy mid-match, and playing fearless attacking table tennis.
A Campaign Defined by Composure & Courage
Payas Jain and Ankur Bhattacharjee started their doubles campaign in the pre quarterfinals against Deschamps & Naranjo winning 11-8 , 11-8 , 8-11 , 11-6 then in the Quarterfinals they defeated Hwan Bae and Florian Bourrassaud. Despite dropping the first game 8-11, the Indian pair staged a strong comeback to win the next three games 11-6, 12-10, and 11-8, sealing the match 3-1. The narrow escape in the third game (12-10) was critical: a turning point that showed their ability to keep composure under pressure, and execute decisive points with confidence.
The semifinal was perhaps their most emphatic performance. Up against Argentina’s Horacio Cifuentes and Santiago Lorenzo, seeded third and playing at home, Payas and Ankur produced a masterclass in aggressive, sharp doubles play. They edged the first game 12-10, which again proved decisive in tilting the momentum their way. The next two games, 11-3 and 11-6, were dominated by the Indians, and they closed the match in just 22 minutes. Their mental resilience and quick adjustments in positioning and serve-receive patterns were on full display, confirming that this was no fluke run but the result of systematic preparation and synergy.
The final, against the Japanese pair of Kazuki Hamada and Hiromu Kobayashi, proved a step too far this time. The Japanese qualifiers stormed to a 2-0 lead (11-5, 11-7) before Payas and Ankur regrouped, took a strategic timeout trailing 3-6 in the third game, and mounted a comeback to win it 11-9. At 9-9 in the fourth game, though, a service fault and a rushed backhand proved costly, as the Japanese pair closed the match 3-1. Yet, the Indian pair’s fighting spirit stood out: refusing to go down in straight games and pushing a tricky final into a tense finish.
Contrasts in Singles and Mixed Doubles
Outside their standout doubles run, the tournament reflected the gap that still exists between the Indians’ doubles strength and their singles results. Ankur Bhattacharjee qualified for the men’s singles main draw, where he lost in the round of 32 to Andre Bertelsmeier in a close five-game match (2-3). Coming back from 0-2 down to force a decider showed Ankur’s fighting qualities, but winning at the highest level demands better starts and consistency.
In mixed doubles, Ankur paired with Ayhika Mukherjee, and the duo reached the semifinals. They came back from losing the first game to beat Gustavo Gomez/Daniela Ortega 3-1 in the quarters, underlining Ankur’s adaptability across formats. Their run ended against the powerful Brazilian pair Hugo Calderano/Bruna Takahashi in a 1-3 defeat, but the quarterfinal comeback again reflected mental grit.
Payas Jain, meanwhile, began his singles journey in the qualification rounds, defeating Carrizo B. 3-0 before falling 0-3 to Florian Bourrassaud, missing out on a main draw spot. The contrast was clear: while the pair thrived together on the doubles court, there is still ground to cover in singles play against deeper, international fields.
Beyond the Medal: What It Means
The silver medal in men’s doubles is significant: it is their best finish together on the WTT stage, and points to a real opportunity for India in men’s doubles on the world circuit. Their path included beating a seeded home pair and demonstrating that they can match the pace, skill, and tactical depth of world-class opponents.
It also highlights Indian table tennis’ emerging trend: success coming increasingly through doubles and mixed doubles. At the same event, Harmeet Desai/Yashaswini Ghorpade reached the mixed doubles final, and in Lagos, India had winners in men’s doubles (Sathiyan Gnanasekaran/Akash Pal) and finalists elsewhere. This points to a strategic opportunity: India can aim to become a doubles powerhouse, while working steadily to bridge the singles gap.
For Payas and Ankur, the next steps are clear: keep refining their synergy, develop strategies to handle closing moments better (as seen in the final), and invest time in sharpening individual singles play. The raw ingredients are there: speed, spirit, and tactical intelligence.
Their run in Buenos Aires wasn’t just a silver medal; it was a signal that Indian doubles pairs can stand toe-to-toe with the world’s best. With more exposure and targeted training, the gap to gold may not be far away.
#TableTennis #WTTBuenosAires #PayasJain #AnkurBhattacharjee #TeamIndia
