Asian TT | Manav Thakkar able to step as much as the captaincy problem

Seven years in the past, a bespectacled teenage prodigy from Surat was among the many most promising paddlers on the world circuit. As a part of India’s senior desk tennis squad, Manav Thakkar travelled to Jakarta and Palembang for the 2018 Asian Games — a wide-eyed debutant soaking within the scale of the continental stage.

Cut to Sunday, and the 25-year-old finds himself in a distinct function altogether — not only a participant, however the chief of India’s males’s workforce, set to face Hong Kong within the quarterfinals of the twenty eighth Asian desk tennis workforce championships on the Kalinga Indoor Stadium.

“It is a big honour and accountability,” mentioned Manav, who additionally plies his commerce within the French league, after India’s observe session on Saturday. “We are a younger workforce, however we’re a powerful workforce. All of us have been faring nicely on the worldwide circuit as nicely. Everyone is worked up to translate our glorious preparation right into a efficiency on the desk.”

For the primary time in his profession, Manav will stroll right into a workforce championship with out the reassuring presence of India’s “large three.” With A. Sharath Kamal retired, and G. Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai making means for the youthful brigade, Manav now stands because the bridge between generations — the hyperlink connecting India’s golden period in males’s desk tennis to its subsequent wave of challengers.

“But having Sharath bhaiya round in itself is a big inspiration and motivation for us,” Manav mentioned, referring to his long-time mentor and the occasion’s model ambassador.

“To have him across the group, albeit in a distinct capability, is a big motivation. Sharath bhaiya and Max (coach Massimo Costantini) have helped us perceive the significance of relishing the expertise of taking part in in entrance of a house crowd.”

On Sunday, the accountability will relaxation on Manav, Manush Shah, and Ankur Bhattacharjee — with S.F.R. Snehit and Payas Jain ready within the wings — to show perception into efficiency and prolong India’s proud streak to a fourth successive Asian Championship medal.

Important outcomes: Group stage: Men: Iran bt Maldives 3-0, Thailand bt Nepal 3-0, Qatar bt Bangladesh 3-0, Singapore bt Oman 3-0.

Women: Malaysia bt Kyrgyzstan 3-0, Thailand bt Sri Lanka 3-0, Chinese Taipei bt Macau (China) 3-0.