SportsPosted at: Sep 20 2026 5:59PM


Asian Games TT: India sweep Indonesia, fall to Iran in Group F

Aichi-Nagoya, Sept 20 (UNI) India’s men’s table tennis campaign at the Asian Games got off to a promising start with a commanding 3-0 victory over Indonesia, but the momentum was abruptly halted as Iran swept them 3-0 in their next Group F tie here on Sunday.
India had made an emphatic start against Indonesia, with Asian Games medallist Sathiyan Gnanasekaran putting the team ahead in the opening match. Sathiyan comfortably defeated Muhammad Negara 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 to give India the early advantage.
Manav Thakkar was then pushed into a five-game battle by Muhammad Junindra but held his nerve to prevail 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, taking India to the brink of victory.
Manush Shah completed the job in clinical fashion, defeating Affan Pratama 11-9, 11-9, 12-10 to seal India's 3-0 win and make a strong opening statement in Group F.
The second tie against Iran, however, turned into a one-sided affair, with India unable to win a single match.
Manush was the first to fall, losing 3-11, 8-11, 10-12 to Noshad Alamiyan as Iran immediately seized control.
Thakkar then faced Benyamin Faraji but was unable to mount a challenge, going down 2-11, 6-11, 6-11. Iran thus moved 2-0 ahead and left India facing elimination from the tie.
Harmeet Desai had the responsibility of keeping India alive and came closest to extending the contest. He fought through a see-saw battle against Nima Alamian, taking the second and fourth games, but eventually lost 10-12, 15-13, 3-11, 12-10, 2-11.
The defeat completed a 3-0 sweep for Iran and exposed the sharp contrast in India's two Group F outings — a clean sweep of Indonesia followed by a reverse sweep against Iran.
India's campaign therefore remains a mixed one, with the team showing its ability to dominate one opponent but finding itself under sustained pressure against Iran.
India play Pakistan next on Monday.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Asian Games TT: India sweep Indonesia# fall to Iran in Group F
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