Manika Batra Leads PBG Bengaluru Smashers into UTT 2024 Semi-finals

World number 25 Manika Batra will lead PBG Bengaluru Smashers in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 semi-finals against Athlead Goa Challengers in Chennai. As top-seeded team, PBG Bengaluru hopes to maintain their form, while the defending champions rely on their experience to secure another final berth.

World number 25 Manika Batra will spearhead the PBG Bengaluru Smashers' challenge as they face defending champions Athlead Goa Challengers in the first semi-final of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

With the tournament approaching its climax, the stakes are high, and teams can ill-afford any half measures in these crucial knockouts. PBG Bengaluru Smashers emerged as the leaders on the points table with 48 points, while Athlead Goa Challengers finished in fourth place at the end of the league stage.

Heading into this contest, PBG Bengaluru will be aiming to maintain their dominant form, having emerged victorious in four out of their five league-stage ties. In stark contrast, none of the other three semifinalists have managed more than three wins, underscoring the Smashers' consistency. However, the reigning champions cannot be underestimated, as they look to leverage their experience for a second consecutive final appearance. PBG Bengaluru will rely on the talents of Manika Batra, American Lily Zhang, Spanish star Alvaro Robles, and a youthful contingent led by Jeet Chandra and Taneesha Kotecha.

Meanwhile, Athlead Goa Challengers will field a formidable team headlined by two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Harmeet Desai, Italy's Mihai Bobocica, and Australia's Yangzi Liu. Another key player to watch will be Yashaswini Ghorpade, who has been in sensational form and could present a significant challenge in her expected clash against Lily Zhang.

The squads for the first semi-final are as follows: PBG Bengaluru Smashers: Manika Batra, Alvaro Robles (Spain), Lily Zhang (USA), Jeet Chandra, Taneesha Kotecha, and Amalraj Anthony. Athlead Goa Challengers: Harmeet Desai, Yangzi Liu (Australia), Yashaswini Ghorpade, Sudhanshu Grover, Sayali Wani, and Mihai Bobocica (Italy).

(With inputs from agencies.)