India's men edge Slovakia 3-2 to lead Group 7 at World Team Table Tennis C'ships
Synopsis
India's men's table tennis team clawed back from 1-2 down to stun Slovakia 3-2 and top Group 7 at the ITTF World Team Championships in London. Manav Thakkar's two decisive wins — including a commanding 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 rout — and Manush Shah's nerve under pressure in the decider sealed the comeback. The women's team also advanced with a 3-2 win over Ukraine, setting up high-stakes final group matches tonight.
Key Takeaways
India's men defeated Slovakia 3–2 in Group 7 at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships on 30 April .
Manav Thakkar (ranked 42 ) won two decisive matches, including a dominant 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 victory over Lubomir Pistej .
Manush Shah sealed the win in the decider, defeating Jakub Zelinka 11-8, 11-8, 11-7.
India's women also advanced with a 3–2 victory over Ukraine in Group 6.
Both teams face final group matches tonight: men against Guatemala , women against Rwanda , starting at 10 pm IST .
Indian men's table tennis team staged a spirited comeback to defeat Slovakia 3–2 in a gripping Group 7 encounter at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London on 30 April. With the victory, India climbed to the top of Group 7 standings and consolidated their position ahead of their next fixture against Guatemala.
Slovakia takes early lead
Lubomir Pistej, ranked 149, used his experience to outmanoeuvre Manush Shah (ranked 51) in the opening rubber, winning 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6 in a five-game thriller. The result handed Slovakia an early 1-0 advantage in the tie.
Manav Thakkar levels the match
India responded swiftly through Manav Thakkar, the team's highest-ranked paddler at 42, who delivered a composed and controlled performance to defeat Jakub Zelinka in straight games, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6. The win levelled the tie at 1-1 and signalled India's intent to fight back.
Slovakia regains momentum
Wang Yang, Slovakia's defensive specialist, produced a clinical display to overcome Harmeet Desai 16-14, 11-5, 11-9. By mixing sharp variations in pace with precise counter-attacking, Wang disrupted Harmeet's rhythm and pushed Slovakia within touching distance of victory at 2-1.
India's decisive comeback
With their backs against the wall, India mounted a decisive turnaround. Manav Thakkar rose to the occasion once more, emphatically overpowering Lubomir Pistej 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 to restore parity at 2-2. The momentum firmly with India, left-hander Manush Shah delivered under pressure in the deciding rubber, defeating Jakub Zelinka 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, to seal the crucial 3-2 victory.
Women's team also advances
Earlier in the day, India's women paddlers delivered a similarly impressive performance, edging past Ukraine 3–2 in a pulsating Group 6 encounter. The win kept their qualification hopes alive and positioned them in pole position to top their group. Both teams will play their final group matches tonight, with the men facing Guatemala and the women taking on Rwanda, scheduled to begin at 10 pm IST.
Point of View
Manav Thakkar's clinical dismantling of Pistej — a 30-point swing in the third game alone — and Manush Shah's composure in the decider suggest this team has the temperament to navigate the knockout rounds. That said, Slovakia's early aggression and Wang Yang's defensive mastery showed India's margins for error remain thin. Tonight's matches against Guatemala and Rwanda will reveal whether this is a sustainable peak or a one-off flash.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India defeat Slovakia in the Group 7 match?
India staged a comeback to win 3-2 after trailing 1-2. Manav Thakkar defeated Lubomir Pistej 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 to level the tie, and Manush Shah then defeated Jakub Zelinka 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 in the decider to seal victory on 30 April.
Which Indian paddler won two matches against Slovakia?
Manav Thakkar, India's highest-ranked paddler at 42, won two crucial matches — first defeating Jakub Zelinka 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 to level the tie at 1-1, then overpowering Lubomir Pistej 11-3, 11-3, 11-3 to restore parity at 2-2.
How did the women's team perform at the championships?
India's women defeated Ukraine 3-2 in a Group 6 encounter, keeping their qualification hopes alive and positioning themselves to top their group.
What are India's next matches at the championship?
The men's team will face Guatemala and the women's team will play Rwanda in their final group matches, both scheduled to start at 10 pm IST on 30 April.
