Ultimate Table Tennis 2024: Bengaluru Smashers and Puneri Paltan Set for Clash After Impressive Wins

The PBG Bengaluru Smashers and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis aim to continue their winning streak in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 league. Both teams succeeded in their first ties, led by standout performances from Jeet Chandra and Ayhika Mukherjee. Their upcoming clash at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium promises high excitement.

The PBG Bengaluru Smashers and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis will look to continue their winning ways when they meet in Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Monday. Both teams clinched victory in their opening ties, driven by giant-killing performances from Jeet Chandra and Ayhika Mukherjee.

The franchise-based league is spearheaded by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). Jeet and the PBG Bengaluru Smashers made a bold statement by defeating hosts Chennai Lions with a significant 11-4 margin. Jeet's decisive 3-0 win over India's top-ranked male paddler, Achanta Sharath Kamal, was a highlight of their comprehensive victory.

Captain Alvaro Robles, USA's Lily Zhang, and seasoned Indian paddler Anthony Amalraj also delivered noteworthy performances for the PBG Bengaluru Smashers who aim to build on their momentum against the Puneri Paltan Table Tennis. "It is a great feeling, especially beating Sharath in Chennai," Jeet remarked, as per a UTT press release.

"We are looking forward; we are just getting started. We are preparing for the upcoming matches," he added. Meanwhile, Puneri Paltan Table Tennis initially held the season's standout win with their 10-5 triumph over debutants Ahmedabad SG Pipers, capitalizing on Ayhika Mukherjee's 3-0 victory against the league's highest-ranked player, Bernadette Szocs.

Seventeen-year-old Ankur Bhattacharjee also impressed with his sweeping win over French paddler Lilian Bardet. "I was excited to play against Szocs; I was really happy because I have always enjoyed competing against higher-ranked players," stated Ayhika. "I prepared myself by focusing on playing my best game rather than the outcome, and it paid off!"

Another major win for either side would edge them closer to their first target: securing a playoff spot.

Squads PBG Bengaluru Smashers: Manika Batra, Alvaro Robles (Spain), Lily Zhang (USA), Jeet Chandra, Taneesha Kotecha, Amalraj Anthony.

Puneri Paltan Table Tennis: Ayhika Mukherjee, Natalia Bajor (Poland), Joao Monteiro (Portugal), Ankur Bhattacharjee, Anirban Ghosh, Yashini Sivashankar. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)