India enjoyed a productive outing at the WTT Feeder Cappadocia II, securing two titles and a runner-up finish, with multiple players featuring deep into the business end of the tournament.
The campaign was headlined by gold medals in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, while Yashaswini Ghorpade capped off an impressive run with a silver in women’s singles.
The biggest highlight came in the women’s doubles event, where the experienced pair of Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee clinched the title after a hard-fought victory over fellow Indians Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade. The final lived up to expectations, going the full distance before Ayhika and Sutirtha emerged 3-2 winners (6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-8).
The contest was a classic example of contrasting styles and resilience under pressure. Diya and Yashaswini started strongly, taking the opening game 11-6 with aggressive intent and sharp placement. However, Ayhika and Sutirtha, known for their tactical maturity and ability to adapt mid-match, responded immediately by taking the next two games, including a crucial third game that went down to the wire at 12-10.
The fourth game saw Diya and Yashaswini regain control, forcing a decider with a convincing 11-5 win. But in the fifth game, experience proved decisive. Ayhika and Sutirtha held their nerve in key rallies, managing momentum swings better to close out the match 11-8 and secure the title.
Photos : Ankur Salvi / Focus Sports / UTT
India’s dominance in the doubles categories was further underlined in the mixed doubles event, where top seeds Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade delivered a commanding performance in the final. The Indian pair defeated Turkey’s Yigenler/Harac 3-0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-7) to lift the title, showcasing control and composure throughout the match.
Harmeet and Yashaswini had already indicated their form earlier in the tournament, notably in the semifinals where they overcame Korea’s Seongil/Yerim 3-1 to book their place in the final. In the title clash, they carried that momentum forward, particularly excelling in the opening game where they edged a tight 12-10 contest. That early breakthrough set the tone, allowing them to dictate play in the subsequent games.
The pair combined effectively, with Harmeet’s experience and Yashaswini’s sharp attacking play complementing each other well. Their ability to control rallies and minimise unforced errors ensured that the Turkish pair never truly found rhythm in the match.
Yashaswini Ghorpade, in particular, emerged as one of India’s standout performers at the tournament. Competing across three categories, she reached the final of women’s singles, the final of women’s doubles, and won the mixed doubles title—an indication of both her versatility and endurance.
In the women’s singles event, Yashaswini put together a strong run to reach the final, including a notable victory over Poland’s Xiaoxin Yang in the semifinals. Her campaign, however, ended in the final where she went down 0-3 to Japan’s Kotona Okada, settling for the silver medal.
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While the scoreline in the final may appear one-sided, the journey to that stage reflected Yashaswini’s growing stature on the international circuit. Her ability to compete consistently across formats and maintain performance levels deep into tournaments is a positive sign for Indian table tennis.
Another significant takeaway from the tournament was the all-Indian women’s doubles final. Having two Indian pairs contest the title highlights the depth in the country’s doubles program, particularly in the women’s category. The presence of both experienced players like Ayhika and Sutirtha and younger combinations like Diya and Yashaswini points to a healthy pipeline of talent.
From a broader perspective, the results at Cappadocia underline India’s continued progress at the feeder level, which serves as a crucial stepping stone in the international table tennis ecosystem. Performances at these events not only contribute to rankings but also provide valuable match exposure against varied playing styles.
Harmeet Desai’s role in the mixed doubles success also reinforces his importance in India’s setup, particularly in doubles formats where his experience becomes a key asset. His partnership with Yashaswini appears to be developing into a reliable combination capable of delivering consistent results.
Overall, India’s campaign at WTT Feeder Cappadocia II can be viewed as a well-rounded success. With two titles, a runner-up finish, and multiple deep runs across categories, the contingent demonstrated both depth and competitiveness.
As the international season progresses, these performances will serve as a confidence boost, particularly for players like Yashaswini Ghorpade who are establishing themselves as regular contenders on the circuit. The challenge now will be to translate these results into higher-tier WTT events and maintain consistency against stronger fields.
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For Indian table tennis, Cappadocia was not just about medals it was about reinforcing the belief that the current crop has the ability to compete, adapt, and succeed on the global stage.
