Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Glasgow | July 30 : India's men's and women's teams booked their places in the finals of the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships after producing commanding performances in the semifinals, with Sreeja Akula and Manav Thakkar delivering contrasting yet equally influential displays to guide their respective teams to victory.

The Indian contingent continued its impressive campaign on Wednesday as both teams outclassed England in their semifinal encounters, setting up title clashes against giant-killers Malaysia in the championship finals scheduled for Thursday.

The Indian women's team once again demonstrated its strength and depth, with Commonwealth Games medallist Sreeja Akula leading from the front through another composed and dominant performance. Her ability to control rallies, maintain consistency under pressure, and deliver crucial points played a vital role in India's convincing victory over England. Supported by her teammates, the Indian women maintained complete control throughout the tie, leaving their opponents with little opportunity to stage a comeback.

The men's team was equally impressive as Manav Thakkar spearheaded India's charge with a brilliant all-round display. Combining aggressive attacking strokes with tactical precision, Thakkar proved too strong for his English opponents and inspired the Indian men's team to a comprehensive semifinal triumph. His confident performance set the tone for the rest of the squad, who comfortably sealed their place in the championship decider.

With both teams registering emphatic victories over England, India has now earned the opportunity to compete for two team titles at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships.

Standing between India and the gold medals will be Malaysia, who emerged as the tournament's surprise package after eliminating higher-ranked opponents to reach both finals. Their impressive run has earned them the reputation of giant-killers, promising an exciting and fiercely contested battle for the championship titles.

India will enter the finals with confidence after displaying exceptional teamwork, technical superiority, and mental resilience throughout the tournament. The consistent performances of experienced players like Sreeja Akula and Manav Thakkar have been instrumental in India's unbeaten run, while the supporting cast has ensured the team remains one of the strongest contenders for the Commonwealth crown.

The championship reaches its climax on Thursday, Indian fans will be hoping that both the men's and women's teams can maintain their outstanding form and overcome Malaysia to complete a memorable double triumph at the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships.