Manika Batra Leads PBG Bengaluru Smashers to Victory in UTT 2024

Star paddler Manika Batra spearheaded PBG Bengaluru Smashers to a 10-5 triumph over Puneri Paltan Table Tennis at the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024, overcoming a tough challenge from Ayhika Mukherjee. Key performances from Ankur Bhattacharjee, Lily Zhang, and Alvaro Robles rounded out the exciting tie.

Star paddler Manika Batra saved the day for the PBG Bengaluru Smashers, leading her team to a 10-5 victory against Puneri Paltan Table Tennis at the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Monday. Despite losing the first game of her clash with Ayhika Mukherjee, Batra came back strong to win the match 2-1.

Puneri Paltan Table Tennis made history by naming all six players in their starting lineup, a first for UTT. The tie began with teenager Ankur Bhattacharjee facing off against Jeet Chandra from PBG Bengaluru Smashers. Ankur clinched the victory by winning alternate games to secure the match 2-1.

Manika Batra returned for the mixed doubles round, partnering with captain Alvaro Robles. They defeated Natalia Bajor and Anirban Ghosh in a close 2-1 game. Robles then secured another 2-1 win in the second men's singles against two-time Olympian Joao Monteiro. The decisive point came from USA paddler Lily Zhang, who beat Yashini Sivashankar. Both Batra and Zhang were named Indian and Foreign Player of the Tie, respectively, while Ankur earned the DafaNews Shot of the Tie honor.

(With inputs from agencies.)