"Ab nahi dekha jaa raha bhai"- Fans left disappointed as Indian women's table tennis team crash out of Paris Olympics 2024
Indian table tennis fans were left utterly disappointed as the women's team crashed out of the Paris 2024 Olympics following a 3-1 loss to Germany. India were participating in the team event for the first time since the category was introduced in 2008.
The fans took to X to share their disappointment as Manika Batra-led three-member Indian women's table tennis team faltered. Manika and Sreeja Akula both failed to impress with only Archana Kamath raking up a win.
"Women's Table Tennis Team lost against Germany in Quarter-Final. India lost to Germany twice within 12 hours. Ab nahi dekha jaa raha bhai!" wrote an user on X.
"kohli of table tennis," claimed another user.
"WR 100 Germany player defeated WR 22 & WR 25 of Team India In Table Tennis! #IndiaAtParis24," quipped a third.
Here are other reactions:
"The Indian women’s table tennis team is knocked out of competition in the quarterfinals, Not a good day for India," wrote yet another user.
"India out from Table tennis quarters our team is looking so tired from the start and Germany's have aggressive game that's the difference between Indians and other nations so disappointed," another person claimed.
"India women's Table Tennis team has been eliminated after a 3-1 loss against Germany in Quarterfinals. It was too one-sided!" said a user.
Indian women's table tennis team succumb to a 3-1 defeat to Germany at the Paris Olympics 2024
The Indian women's table tennis team saw their Paris 2024 Olympic journey come to an end in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 defeat to Germany on Wednesday. Facing the Rio 2016 silver medalists, the team, consisting of Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath, put up a spirited fight but fell short.
The doubles match opened the tie, with Archana and Sreeja battling against Germany's Yuan Wan and Shan Xiaona. Despite their efforts, the Indian duo lost 3-1 (11-5, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6).
In the singles, world No. 25 Manika faced a surprising upset. After winning the first game, she succumbed to 18-year-old Annett Kaufmann, ranked 100th, who rallied to win 3-1 (8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7).
Archana provided a glimmer of hope for India, defeating veteran Shan Xiaona in a hard-fought match 3-1 (19-17, 1-11, 11-5, 11-9). This victory kept the Indian women's table tennis team's hopes alive, pushing the tie to a fourth match.
However, Annett returned to secure Germany’s win. She overpowered Sreeja who holds the highest ranking for an Indian player at world No. 22, in straight games 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-7), clinching Germany's spot in the semi-finals.