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After tennis became a popular game during the late 19th century, ping pong, also known as table tennis, was introduced as a sport with improvised equipment and rules in the 1880s. The first version of the sport was played in 1890 in England as a part of “Parlour Table Games” by David Foster.
For decades, manufacturers and researchers have worked on improving the dynamics and mechanisms of the game. During that time, the game was played with vellum drum rackets and a 50mm ball.
In 1900, proper equipment was introduced for Ping Pong, and it became an instant success. The game was introduced by England, but it quickly gained popularity in China and other East Asian nations, too.
The Ping Pong Popularity in India
The International Table Tennis Federation was formed in 1926 in Berlin, Germany. In the few initial decades of ITTF’s introduction, Europe was the most dominant continent in the game, especially Germany, Hungary, and England. However, the game was introduced in the sub-continent by Britishers during colonial rule, who used to play table tennis as a hobby.
They used to play the sport with makeshift equipment such as books, wine bottle corks, and more. During the early 1930s, table tennis’s popularity blossomed in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Introduction and growth of table tennis
In 1937, the Table Tennis Federation of India was formed in Calcutta, and since then, it has been a permanent part of the International Table Tennis Federation. Moreover, it’s still the central body for the administration and promotion of table tennis in India. Table tennis has been a popular sport in the sub-continent. However, it has always failed to reach the peak of success on the global stage.
Key moments in Indian table tennis
In 1952, India hosted the World Championships in Mumbai, which was the first time the competition took place in Asia. Moreover, 1952 is also seen as a breakthrough year in the history of Indian table tennis. India has won only two medals in the table tennis World Championships, and both of them came in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
The team of Athar-Ali Fyzee, Hassan Ali Fyzee, A.M. Peermahomed, B.C. Singh and S.R.G. Suppiah won a bronze medal in the men’s team event. Moreover, Suppiah also clinched a bronze medal in the men’s singles event. During that time, the governing body of table tennis in India was known as the All India Table Tennis Association, which was later renamed the current Central Commission.
Indian Paddlers Making a Mark
In 1993, India was 12th in the World Championship, which took place in Gothenburg, Sweden. Nevertheless, the pursuit of India’s first World Championship medal post-independence is still underway.
China’s dominance in table tennis has been unparalleled by any other nation across the globe. The East Asian country has won 156 gold medals in the World Championships. Behind them, in second place, it’s Hungary, who has secured 68 gold medals in the competition.
Last year, Manika Batra won a historical bronze medal and became the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Asian Cup after she defeated Japan’s Hina Hayata. Apart from Manika Batra, Only Chetan Baboor secured medals in the competition (Silver in 1997, Bronze in 2000).
Profiles of top Indian table tennis players
Sharath Kamal has been the torchbearer of men’s table tennis for the sub-continent for more than two decades. He is a record 10-time National champion and also the first Indian to win the ITTF Pro Tour title and a gold medal in the men’s singles event of the Commonwealth Games. In addition to that, he has also been a part of the Olympics in four different editions.
Alongside Sharath, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran has also been a top name in Indian table tennis. Starting his career as a dabbler, Gnanasekaran won his maiden ITTF Pro Tour title in 2016 at the Belgium Open. He also won three medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, including one gold medal in the men’s team event.
Manika Batra picked up the sport at a young age after she was inspired by her elder siblings. In 2011, she clinched a silver medal in the Under-21 category at the Chile Open. She got her first breakthrough after being included in the Indian contingent for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where she suffered an early exit.
Their achievements on the global stage
Sharath took the game of table tennis at a very young age. He made his Olympic debut under the guidance of his father, Srinivas Rao, in Athens in 2004. Two years later, he won the gold medal in the men’s singles event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He later completed a full circle of his career by winning his second Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 2022 edition.
In the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Batra outplayed the likes of all top seeds as she won four medals at the Gold Coast, including two gold medals (in Women’s singles and Women’s team events). Adding to her accolades, she clinched a bronze medal in women’s singles at the 2022 Asian Cup.
The Future Spin: Table Tennis in India
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee clinched the subcontinent’s only medal in table tennis in the women’s doubles event. Indian paddlers have been showing great enthusiasm at the Asian level over the last few years. Hence, the dream of an Olympic medal looks possible in the coming few editions of the sporting megafest.
Upcoming talents and prospects
Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee defeated the world champion pair of China’s Chen Meng and Wang Yidi in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games to win the prestigious bronze medal.
On the other hand, the pair of Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah have also been performing well on the Global stage. Sreeja Akula is another top prospect in Indian table tennis. At last year’s Commonwealth Games, she won the mixed doubles gold medal alongside Sharath Kamal.
Betting Tips for Table Tennis Fans
Table tennis is among the few very quick racket sports around the globe. Unlike tennis and badminton, a set in a game of table tennis can end quickly, and a slight shift in momentum can result in a loss for any paddler. Hence, understanding the nature of the game is really important for any bettor.
Decoding player styles and strategies
There are three playing styles in Table tennis:
- The Attacker: The players who use the traditional style of offensive table tennis are the Attackers. There are four types of grips used by attackers, that are: the Penholder grip, the Inverted Power Looper grip, the Shake-hands grip and the All-Round grip.
- The Counter Driver: A counter driver plays close to the table and uses technique instead of power to get points. These paddlers are good with finesse shots and blocking, but they often lack the factor of power.
- The Defender: Unlike the attacker, a defender capitalises on the weaknesses of the opponent. The style developed later and it’s majorly used by modern-day paddlers. Playing close to the table, a defender prefers playing powerful shots and holds a good understanding of blocks but often lacks flair.
Tips for informed table tennis betting
In table tennis, one must understand that the favorite can see the tables being turned (literally) quite quickly as the underdogs have often scripted history by achieving success on the international stage.
Unlike other sports, weather conditions and other factors don’t play a huge part, but the support of the home crowd is one of the biggest factors that can help turn the tide.
