India Secures Historic Table Tennis Medal at Asian Games

India has secured a historic medal in table tennis at the Asian Games, with the mixed doubles team of Diya Chitale and Manush Shah advancing to the semifinals after a stunning victory over Hong Kong's top-ranked pair. This achievement guarantees at least a bronze medal for the country, marking a significant milestone in Indian sports. Meanwhile, the mixed doubles campaign of Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade ended in the quarterfinals. The article also highlights India's mixed performance across various sports disciplines, including badminton, swimming, and athletics, showcasing the country's diverse athletic talent.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 25, 2026, 09:07 IST

Historic Table Tennis Medal Assured for India

India has guaranteed a medal in table tennis at the Asian Games, thanks to the remarkable performance of the mixed doubles team, Diya Chitale and Manush Shah. They achieved a stunning victory against Hong Kong's world No. 4 pair, Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem, advancing to the semifinals. The Indian duo, currently ranked eighth globally, triumphed with a score of 3-1 (11-6, 13-15, 11-9, 11-5) in the quarterfinals, ensuring at least a bronze medal for the nation.

Chitale and Shah showcased their skills against the seasoned Hong Kong team, who are multiple-time World Championship medalists, with their latest achievement being at the 2025 World Championships. Following this victory, India will face a strong Chinese pair, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, in the semifinals. This medal marks India's second-ever mixed doubles medal in table tennis at the Asian Games, the first being a bronze won by Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra in Jakarta in 2018. The Indian pair entered the quarterfinals with significant momentum and continued their impressive streak against higher-ranked competitors.

In contrast, India's mixed doubles campaign featuring Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade concluded after they faced a 0-3 defeat against China's Lin Shidong and Kuai Man in the quarterfinals. The Chinese duo secured their semifinal spot with a match score of 11-5, 12-10, 11-9.

Mixed Outing for India Across Disciplines

India's performance across various sports has been mixed. In badminton, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto progressed after defeating Maldives' Aminath Abdul Razzaq and Nibal Ahmed in the mixed doubles first round. In swimming, Rishabh Das and Utkarsh Patil qualified for the men's 200m backstroke final, while Dhanush Suresh, Aneesh Sunil, and Dhakshan Shashikumar did not advance in their respective events.

In shooting, Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh led the qualification for the 10m air pistol mixed team event. In canoe sprint, Prohit Baroi and Prasanna Kumar moved on to Final B after finishing fifth in the men's kayak double 500m semifinal, while Megha Pradeep and Neha Leichonbam were eliminated after placing fourth in the women's canoe double 500m semifinal. India's fencing teams were eliminated by Hong Kong and Uzbekistan in the men's team foil and women's team epee round of 16, respectively. In athletics, Anamika Aneesh and Pooja stood seventh and ninth, respectively, in the women's heptathlon overall standings following the long jump event.