Asian Games 2026: India beat Thailand to reach women’s team table tennis quarter-finals; men’s team knocked out
(Courtesy : @ghorpade_yashaswini/Instagram)
The women’s team are one win away from confirming a medal
India’s hopes of a historic table tennis medal at the Asian Games 2026 stayed alive through the women’s team, who stunned 2022 bronze medallist Thailand, but the men’s team crushed out in the round of 16 on Tuesday after losing to South Korea.
The victory has moved the Indian women’s team to one win away from a first-ever medal in the event at the Asian Games. Of India’s three table tennis medals at the Asiad, only one came in the team event—a bronze in men’s team event in 2018.
India had to dig deep and come from behind to secure a 3-2 win against Thailand and book their spot in the quarter-finals.
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Thailand took an early advantage in a thrilling first clash. Orawan Paranang recovered from two games down to beat top-ranked Sreeja Akula 3-2. The Indian paddler took the first two games 11-7, 11-1, but Paranang won the next three games 11-9, 11-6, and 12-10 to put her side ahead.
Yashaswini Ghorpade then restored parity with a five-game win against Suthasini Sawettabut. Ghorpade won the opener 11-8, but dropped the next two games 5-11, 7-11. The 21-year-old then won the fourth and fifth games 11-9, 11-9.
Thailand moved ahead again when Jinnipa Sawettabut beat Diya Chitale 3-2. Chitale lost the first game 7-11, but won the next two 11-5, 11-7. Jinnipa levelled the contest with an 11-7 win before winning the decider 13-11.
Facing elimination from the contest, Ghorpade produced a brilliant comeback in her clash against Paranang, sweeping the Thai paddler 3-0. The Karnataka paddler won 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 in 21 minutes.
Akula then faced Suthasini in the deciding clash. The Indian paddler lost the opening game 9-11 but then showed extreme composure to win the next three games 11-6, 12-10, 11-8. As a result, she sealed a thrilling 3-2 win for India.
Also Read: Explained: Why was Manika Batra left out of India’s Table Tennis squad for Asian Games 2026?
The Women in Blue will face North Korea, who were awarded a bye in the round of 16, in the women’s team quarter-finals later today.
Men’s table tennis campaign ends
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The Indian men’s table tennis team, meanwhile, suffered a 3-0 loss to South Korea in the men’s team Round of 16, bringing an end to their Asian Games 2026 campaign.
Harmeet Desai lost the opening clash against Jang Woojin. The Indian paddler opened with an 11-8 win, but Jang Woojin took the next three games 8-11, 7-11, 9-11.
Manush Shah then lost 3-2 to world No. 23 Oh Junsung. Manav Thakkar failed to mount a comeback, losing the third tie to An Jaehyun.
Who won the India vs Thailand women’s team table tennis match at the Asian Games 2026?
India won 3‑2 in a thrilling comeback to reach the quarter‑finals.
Who will India face in the table tennis women’s team quarter‑finals at Asian Games 2026?
India will play North Korea, who received a bye in the first round, in the quarter-finals.
Who won the India vs South Korea men’s team table tennis match at the Asian Games 2026?
South Korea won 3‑0, ending India’s men’s team campaign.
How many table tennis medals has India won at the Asian Games 2026?
India has won a total of three table tennis medals at the Asian Games, with only one of them coming in the team event—which was the bronze in the men’s team event in 2018 edition.
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