India storm into Stage 2

India’s men’s and women’s teams stormed into Stage 2 of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships 2026 after topping their respective Stage 1 groups with wins in their final group ties on Thursday.

The Indian women’s team blanked Rwanda 3-0, while the men followed suit against Guatemala at the OVO Arena Wembley, London.

Earlier, the Indian women opened their campaign with a walkover against Uganda before edging Ukraine in their second tie to top Stage 1b Group 6.

The Indian men’s team, on the other hand, blanked Tunisia 3-0 in their first tie and then rallied to beat Slovakia in the second to finish on top of Stage 1b Group 7.

World No. 48 and Olympian Manika Batra set the tone for the Indian women’s team, making light work of Chantal Hirwa with a 3-0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-3) win.

Diya Chitale then brushed aside Elevine Tumukunde 3-0 (11-2, 11-1, 11-3) before Syndrela Das sealed the tie with another comfortable 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-2) victory.

Meanwhile, Olympian Sathiyan Gnanasekaran began proceedings for the Indian men’s team with a 3-0 (11-3, 11-2, 11-9) win over Sergio Carrillo.

Manav Thakkar, 61st in the table tennis rankings, was in action next and the Indian table tennis player breezed past Ian Morales 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-5) to pave the way for Payas Jain to close out the tie with a 3-0 triumph (11-5, 11-5, 11-6) against Ricardo Gatica.

A total of 64 teams - divided into 16 groups of four - are participating in each of the men’s and women’s events.

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