Mumbai, March 12 (NationPress) The 14-year-old Divyanshi Bhowmick, a dual gold medalist in the U-15 and U-17 categories at the recently held WTT Youth Contender Vadodara, became the highest-priced player during the Table Tennis Super League (TTSL) Maharashtra auction conducted on Wednesday. PBG Pune Jaguars acquired Divyanshi for INR 82,000.

In a notable move, 19-year-old Jash Modi, who triumphed over Sathiyan Gnanasekaran to secure the men’s singles gold at the 38th National Games, was signed by Bayside Spinners TT for INR 81,000.

Other significant acquisitions included Deepit Patil, who was part of the Maharashtra team that clinched silver in the National Games, joining Phantom Stars for INR 74,500. Meanwhile, Sanil Shetty, a Commonwealth Games men's team gold medalist, went to Mumbai Mozartt for INR 73,000, enhancing the league's competitive landscape.

Shetty, a former National Champion, brings a wealth of experience, while Reeth Rishya, selected by PBG Pune Jaguars, is recognized as one of Maharashtra’s most reliable performers. The under-13 sensation Prateek Tulsani emerged as the fifth-most expensive buy at the auction, joining Mumbai Mozartt for INR 59,000, just days after winning the WTT Youth Contender Vadodara U-13 title.

“I am incredibly thankful and thrilled about this opportunity. A huge shoutout to my team, PBG Pune Jaguars, for believing in me and making me the highest-paid player in TTSL. It’s an immense honor and a proud moment, but it also brings the responsibility to deliver and assist my team in achieving victory. This is a remarkable opportunity for young players like me from Maharashtra to learn from seasoned professionals. I’m eager for an exciting TTSL season ahead!” expressed Divyanshi.

Each of the six teams engaged in the tournament organized by Ultimate Table Tennis was allocated a budget of INR 2,50,000 to construct their rosters, selecting players across six categories: U-13 Boys, U-17 Girls, U-17 Boys, Senior Women, Senior Men, and Veterans. With the rosters now complete, the teams will compete for the championship from April 3-6 at NSCI, Mumbai. Each tie will consist of nine matches—six singles (one per category), two mixed doubles (Men & Women, U-17 Boys & U-17 Girls), and one men’s doubles match (U-13 Boys & Veterans).

“This will be my first league experience in Mumbai, and I’m thrilled to be part of it. UTT has taken a fantastic initiative by uniting top players from Maharashtra while also providing a platform for young talents to compete alongside experienced players. The inclusion of veterans adds a motivational aspect, inspiring the younger generation to learn from them and strive for excellence,” Reeth noted.

The TTSL Maharashtra auction showcased a blend of youth and experience, gathering some of the most skilled paddlers in the state. Many, such as emerging talents Taneesha Kotecha, Sayali Wani, and Pritha Vartikar, continue to make significant strides on both national and international fronts, highlighting Maharashtra’s reputation as a powerhouse in Indian table tennis.

Top buys in the auction:

Divyanshi Bhowmick - INR 82,000 (PBG Pune Jaguars)

Jash Modi - INR 81,000 (Bayside Spinners)

Deepit Patil - INR 74,500 (Phantom Stars)

Sanil Shetty - INR 73,000 (Mumbai Mozartt)

Prateek Tulsani - INR 59,000 (Mumbai Mozartt)

The full team lists:

Bayside Spinners TTC: Jash Modi, Ananya Chande, Kaustubh Girgaonkar, Vihaan Haldankar, Swara Karmarkar, Bhavesh Shah

Century Warriors: Shubham Ambre, Taneesha Kotecha, Zain Shaikh, Parth Magar, Annisha Patra, and Santosh Wakradkar

Mumbai Mozartt: Sanil Shetty, Pritha Vartikar, Prateek Tulsani, Yuvraj Yadav, Sukrati Sharma, Suraj Chandrasekharan

PBG Pune Jaguars: Anish Sontakke, Reeth Rishya, Nirav Mulye, Mayuresh Sawant, Divyanshi Bhowmick, Kedar Kasbekar

Phantom Stars: Deepit Patil, Senhora D’Souza, Aarav Vora, Arnav Kshirsagar, Swara Jangade, Onkar Jog

Ping Panthers: Sharveya Samant, Sayali Wani, Param Bhiwandkar, Shivam Vidhate, Urvi Churi, and Deepak Kadam