India’s leading table tennis player, Manika Batra, has dropped to 46th in the latest women’s singles world rankings-her lowest position since 2022-just ahead of the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships. This 16-place slide follows a string of disappointing performances, including early exits at major international tournaments.
In a bright spot for Indian table tennis, Ayhika Mukherjee, Yashashwini Ghorpade, and Diya Chitale have all achieved their highest-ever world rankings, indicating a new wave of talent. Officials from the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) have expressed concern over Batra’s form but remain optimistic about the team’s prospects.
Manika Batra’s Form Dips as New Talent Emerges
Manika Batra, once India’s highest-ranked women’s singles player, has seen a significant drop in her world ranking after a challenging season.
Her latest setback came at the ITTF World Cup 2025 in Macao, where she started with a promising win over France’s Maylis Giret but failed to progress after a close defeat to Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi. Adding to her woes, Batra suffered a 2-3 loss to national champion Diya Chitale at the WTT Star Contender Tunis, further impacting her ranking points.
In response to these developments, a TTFI official stated, “Manika’s recent results are not reflective of her true potential.
We are confident she will regroup and bring her experience to the team at the World Championships.” Meanwhile, Ayhika Mukherjee (now ranked 69th), Yashashwini Ghorpade (76th), and Diya Chitale (88th) have all achieved career-best rankings, marking a significant milestone for Indian women’s table tennis.
A Changing of the Guard in Indian Table Tennis
Batra’s decline in the rankings has coincided with a shift in the national pecking order. Sreeja Akula, now ranked 34th, has overtaken Batra as India’s top-ranked women’s singles player.
Both Akula and Batra were eliminated in the group stage at the ITTF World Cup, extending India’s wait for a medal at the prestigious event. On the men’s side, Manav Thakkar remains the only Indian in the world’s top 50, currently at 49th.
The rise of Mukherjee, Ghorpade, and Chitale signals a generational change, with younger players stepping up and making their presence felt on the international stage. This shift comes at a crucial time, as the Indian contingent prepares for the World Table Tennis Championships, hoping to turn recent setbacks into opportunities for growth and redemption.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Manika Batra’s recent struggles highlight the unpredictable nature of competitive sports and the mental resilience required at the highest level. While her dip in form is concerning, the emergence of new talent is a cause for optimism and a testament to the growing depth of Indian table tennis.
As a community, it is vital that we support both our established stars and rising athletes, fostering an environment of encouragement and unity. Let us use this moment to reflect: How can Indian table tennis best nurture its talent pipeline and ensure sustained success on the global stage?
