Asian Games TT: India women beat Singapore 3-2, men fall to Iran 0-3
Synopsis
Trailing 1-2 against Singapore, India's women staged a nervy comeback at the Asian Games — Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade both winning their second rubbers to seal a 3-2 thriller. While the women top Group F and eye a Pakistan tie next, the men's team were swept 0-3 by Iran, making Monday's fixtures critical on both fronts.
Key Takeaways
India women's TT team defeated Singapore 3-2 in a come-from-behind win in Group F at the Asian Games on 20 September .
Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade both won their second rubbers after India trailed 1-2 .
India women top Group F with four points from two ties; next up is Pakistan on Monday .
India men beat Indonesia 3-0 in their opener but lost to Iran 0-3 in their second tie.
Manush Shah , Manav Thakkar , and Harmeet Desai all lost their rubbers against Iran.
India's women's table tennis team staged a dramatic comeback at the Asian Games on Sunday, 20 September, defeating Singapore 3-2 in a tense Group F encounter at the Sky Hall Toyota in Toyota, Japan. The victory — India's second straight in the group stage — came after the team found themselves trailing 1-2 before Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade delivered under pressure to seal the tie.
Key Developments in Group F
India's women now sit atop Group F with four points from two ties, having earlier swept Indonesia 3-0 in their opener. They are scheduled to face Pakistan in their final group-stage match on Monday, needing a result to consolidate their position ahead of the knockout rounds.
How India Turned the Women's Tie Around
Yashaswini Ghorpade opened proceedings with a confident 3-1 win over Jian Zeng. However, Sreeja Akula then fell in a tightly contested five-game duel against Ming Loy, losing 2-3, before Zhao Tan defeated Diya Chitale in four games — leaving Singapore ahead 2-1.
Sreeja responded emphatically in her second outing, losing the first game 6-11 before reeling off three consecutive games 11-3, 11-7, 11-4 to level the tie at 2-2. The decisive fifth rubber fell to Yashaswini, who showed remarkable composure in a rollercoaster match. After losing the first game 5-11, she won the next two 11-8, 12-10, dropped the fourth 4-11, and then held her nerve in an extended fifth game to clinch it 11-9 — sealing India's 3-2 win.
Men's Team: Victory, Then Defeat
The Indian men also opened their Group F campaign with a clean 3-0 win over Indonesia. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran dispatched Muhammad Negara 3-0, Manav Thakkar edged out Muhammad Junindra 3-2, and Manush Shah beat Affan Pratama 3-0.
However, the men's side suffered a 0-3 reversal against Iran in their second tie. Manush Shah, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet Desai all failed to win their individual rubbers, handing Iran a commanding sweep. The loss underlines the stiffer competition India's men face as they push for a podium finish.
What's Next for India
With the women's team in a strong position and the men looking to bounce back, Monday's matches will be pivotal. India's women face a Pakistan test that could determine their seeding for the knockout stage, while the men will need to regroup and reassess their gameplan ahead of their remaining group-stage fixture.
Point of View
And it signals a maturing squad depth beyond just Sreeja. The men's 0-3 loss to Iran is a concern: India have been building their men's programme steadily, and a whitewash — even in the group stage — suggests the gap to the top Asian sides remains significant. With Pakistan next for the women, and the men needing results to survive, Monday's schedule doubles as both an opportunity and a test of temperament.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India women vs Singapore in the Asian Games table tennis?
India's women's table tennis team defeated Singapore 3-2 in a come-from-behind win in Group F on 20 September at the Sky Hall Toyota. Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade both won their second rubbers to overturn a 1-2 deficit.
Who were the key players in India's win over Singapore?
Sreeja Akula and Yashaswini Ghorpade were the match-winners for India. Yashaswini also won the opening rubber before Sreeja levelled the tie at 2-2 with a dominant comeback in her second match.
How did India men's table tennis team perform at the Asian Games?
The men's team beat Indonesia 3-0 in their opener but were swept 0-3 by Iran in their second Group F tie. Manush Shah, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet Desai all lost their individual rubbers against Iran.
Where do India women stand in Group F after two ties?
India's women top Group F with four points from two ties, having beaten both Indonesia (3-0) and Singapore (3-2). They face Pakistan in their final group-stage match on Monday.
When do India play their next Asian Games table tennis match?
India's women face Pakistan on Monday in their final Group F tie, which could determine their seeding heading into the knockout stage. The men's team also have a remaining group-stage fixture to play.
