New Delhi
Ahead of the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) 2024, set to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai from August 22 to September 7, seasoned players Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra are among five Indian paddlers retained by their franchises. Last season’s runners-up, Chennai Lions, held onto the legendary Sharath Kamal, while Bengaluru Smashers retained India’s highest-ranked paddler, Manika Batra.
For the first time, the league will feature eight teams, offering a platform for young Indian players to showcase their talent alongside international stars. This expansion is designed to raise the competition level and support the growth of emerging talent.
Defending champions Goa Challengers have kept Harmeet Desai, a key player in their previous victory. Meanwhile, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran remains with Dabang Delhi TTC, and U Mumba TT has retained young talent Manav Thakkar.
UTT promoters Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani highlighted the franchises’ strategy of building their teams around star players. This philosophy is evident in the player retentions for the 2024 season.
Per league rules, the six existing franchises could retain one Indian player. Puneri Paltan Table Tennis chose not to retain anyone, allowing new teams Jaipur Patriots and Ahmedabad SG Pipers to select a player in the first round of the draft.
The upcoming season also features a new format due to the expanded roster. The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, with each team playing five matches in the league stage.
