Yashaswini helps India pull off a thrilling 3-2 win over Ukraine to seize group control

India’s women paddlers, led by Yashaswini Ghorpade’s heroics, rose to the occasion in a high-stakes Group 6 encounter, edging past Ukraine 3–2 in a pulsating tie that kept their ITTF-World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals qualification hopes firmly on track and, crucially, put them in pole position to top the group.

The contest began tensely as Manika Batra, ranked World No. 49, found herself on the back foot against the experienced Tetyana Bilenko. Dropping the second game (7–11), Manika showed her trademark composure and tactical adjustment to storm back, taking the next two games for an 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5 verdict and handing India a vital early lead.

Ukraine responded through Margaryta Pesotska (WR 51), who edged past Yashaswini Ghorpade in a gripping five-game duel. Ghorpade fought back brilliantly after losing the first two games, even dishing out a dominant 11–1 third game, but Pesotska held her nerve in the decider to level the tie at 1–1.

India regained control thanks to Diya Chitale, who delivered one of her most assured performances. The young paddler dismantled Veronika Matiunina in straight games of 11–6, 11–8, 11–6, combining sharp placement with relentless tempo to put India 2–1 ahead.

Diya Chitale delivered one of her most assured performances

With the tie hanging in the balance, Margaryta returned to the table and proved why she remains Ukraine’s spearhead. She overpowered Manika in four games (11–9, 5–11, 11–8, 11–6), forcing the contest into a decisive fifth match.

Yashaswini does it for India

All eyes then turned to Ghorpade, who showed remarkable resilience under pressure. Up against Tetyana, she produced a composed and tactically disciplined display, clinching the match 11–7, 11–9, 9–11, 11–7 to seal the tie for India. It was a performance that underlined both her temperament and India’s growing bench strength.

The victory places India in a commanding position in Group 6, with one final hurdle remaining. The women’s team will take on Rwanda in their last group fixture tomorrow, a match that could confirm their passage into the main draw as group toppers.

Indian men and women have a perfect start in World Team Table Tennis Championships

Meanwhile, attention also turns to the men’s team, who are set for a crucial clash against Slovakia later in the night, before wrapping up their Group 7 campaign against Guatemala on Thursday.

For now, though, the Indian women delivered when it mattered most—holding their nerve, embracing the pressure, and taking a decisive step toward qualification.