Why is Manika Batra Dropped from India's Table Tennis Squad for Asian Games, Commonwealth Championships?

The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has named its ten-player men's and women's squads for the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, announcing the teams on Thursday, June 18.

Leading the men's line-up is top-ranked Manav Thakkar, while Sreeja Akula is expected to captain the hopes on the women's side. Notably, Manika Batra has been placed on the reserves list and is not in the main women's squad, and Syndrela Das has been selected for both events.

Teenager Syndrela from Kolkata has become the youngest Indian ever included in an Asian Games table tennis squad. In the men's team, Manav and Manush Shah have been India's standout performers recently and arrive with strong expectations. On the women's front, Diya Chitale has been in excellent form, and Sreeja Akula is widely viewed as the player to watch as India's highest ranked woman player.

India Table Tennis Squad: TTFI name 10-member Squad for Asian Games, Commonwealth

Why is Manika Batra Left Out of India Squad?

Manika Batra has missed out on India squad for her failure to feature in domestic and international tournaments. Although Manika played a few WTT championships, she has largely been missing from the domestic competitions.

TTFI picks player on the basis of international and domestic rankings, and Batra fell down the pecking order in domestic rankings. Her ITTF ranking is 51, behind Sreeja Akula (45), but despite that, she has missed out.

"The selection process ensured that India's highest-ranked and most consistent performers earned the opportunity to represent the country at Asia's biggest multi-sport event," TTFI said.

To pick a squad, Table Tennis follow a complex ranking rule. Currently, 50 per cent of weightage is given on Domestic Rankings, 40 per cent on International Rankings, and the remaining 10 per cent on judgment and expertise of the selection committee.

"The inclusion of reserve players for both men and women also ensures that the squad remains prepared for any unforeseen circumstances before the Game," TTFI added.

On the basis of domestic rankings, Ronit Bhanja and Ankur Bhattacharjee find themselves among the reserves for both Asian Games and the Commonwealth championship. Syndrela also got into the side with an excellent outing in the domestic/national rankings, where she is currently 2nd after Yashaswini Ghorpade.