MUMBAI: India’s most recognizable table tennis player, Manika Batrahe was left out of the lineup for the upcoming one Asian games after failing to meet the selection criteria set by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).In Manika’s absence, the Indian women’s team will be led by Sreeja Akul and will comprise of Yashaswini Ghorpade, Diya Chitale, Sutirtha Mukherjee and 17-year-old Syndrela Das. Manika and Swastika Ghosh were named among the reserves for the Games scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4.“The selection process has ensured that India’s top-ranked and most consistent performers deserve the opportunity to represent the country at Asia’s biggest multi-sport event,” the TTFI said in a statement.Under the selection policy introduced in 2023, the national ranking has 50 percent weightage, the world ranking has 40 percent, and the remaining 10 percent is left to the selection committee. Players ranked among the top 50 in the world gain automatic qualification regardless of their national ranking.The omission is likely to spark debate, given that Manika narrowly missed the automatic qualifying mark. The 31-year-old was ranked 51st in the world on June 2, just three ranking points behind the player ranked 50th.Sources told TOI that the nine-member selection committee was not unanimous in its decision to drop Manika. It is assumed that national coach Massimo Costantini also gave information before the selection meeting.The edges were razor thin. An appearance in the round of 64 at the WTT Star Contender event — a stage for which Manika would automatically qualify — carries five ranking points, enough to push her into the top 50.A multiple Commonwealth Games medalist and part of India’s historic mixed doubles bronze medal winning pair at the 2018 Asian Games, Manika remains India’s second highest ranked player behind world number 45 Sreeja Akula.The absence from domestic tournaments this season also hurt her. According to her coach Aman Balgu, the selectors were able to reflect on the difficult circumstances she faced in the past year.“She has been through a lot personally over the last year. She has also been dealing with a serious injury, which has affected the number of competitions she has been able to participate in,” Balgu told TOI.Manika was also out of action for almost two months after the sudden death of her father.“According to our calculations, Manika will be the top ranked Indian player as early as next month. She has had decent results this year and it is unfortunate that she will not be in the team,” Balgu added.In the men’s section, the Indian challenge will be led by the country’s top-ranked rowers, Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah. Seasoned campaigners G. Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai are also included, while youngster Payas Jain completes the five-member squad.
