Alarming form of Indian paddlers ahead of the 2026 Asian Games

Less than a month before the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, two of India's leading table tennis players – Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar – have delivered worrying performances at WTT events. Both exited in the first round of WTT Champions Macao, WTT Contender Almaty and the Europe Smash, raising questions about their competitiveness at the continental level. Manush Shah lost 0-3 (10-12, 5-11, 6-11) to Anton Kallberg (Sweden) at WTT Champions Macao, having previously lost to Denis Ivonin (Russia) at WTT Contender Almaty. Manav Thakkar lost 1-3 to sixth seed Alexis Lebrun (France) at the Europe Smash, and then fell to Tomokazu Harimoto (Japan) in Macao. The only bright spot was Manav winning the third set 11-9 against Lebrun, but he could not sustain the momentum. Analysis shows both players struggled to convert close first-game opportunities. Manush lost 10-12 to Kallberg before fading. Manav lost 12-14 in the opener to Lebrun despite having chances. This reflects issues with composure under pressure. However, the story goes beyond results. The pair is ranked world No. 3 in men's doubles, a far better achievement than their singles form. This suggests a strategic imbalance, where the Indian coaching staff prioritises doubles over singles, leaving players less sharp for individual events. Another factor is the packed schedule. Manav and Manush have been moving between WTT tournaments without rest or specialised training camps ahead of the Asian Games. Top teams like China, Japan and Korea often skip minor events to prepare for majors. India seems to lack such a strategy. Losing to players like Kallberg, Lebrun or Harimoto is not shocking; they are all world-class. But the manner of defeat – lacking resistance and tactical flexibility – is concerning. Manav Thakkar, once India's biggest hope with his speed and variety, has declined since injury and coaching changes. In the Europe Smash, he held his own in set 3 but lost the fourth 3-11, showing physical and mental inconsistency. Manush Shah is a technical player with sharp backhand crosses. But against taller, stronger opponents like Kallberg, he struggles in long rallies – a persistent weakness. At the Asian Games, India aims for medals in doubles and team events. With their world No. 3 ranking, they have a strong foundation. But if singles form continues to deteriorate, it could affect confidence in team matches. The absence of top female players from the reported squad is also a concern. However, data remains limited. We lack statistics on away win rates, serve efficiency, decider-set performance, or comparisons with past Asian Games. Therefore, all conclusions are tentative. In conclusion, Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar are in a short-term form slump, not a crisis. They still have time to adjust before the Asian Games. The key lies in tactical preparation and schedule management. If the coaching staff can optimise rest and focus on their doubles strength, India could spring a surprise in Nagoya. For fans, this is a time for patience. Indian table tennis has progressed immensely over the past decade; small setbacks should not erase that progress. Let’s see how they respond under continental pressure.