Telangana women delivereda stunning late surge to deny hosts Maharashtra a gold medal, clinching adramatic 3–2 victory in the 40 plus team final of the 32nd National Masters Table TennisChampionships at the Balewadi Indoor Stadium today.
In a contest wherefortunes fluctuated with gripping intensity, Telangana raced to a 2–0 leadbefore Maharashtra clawed back to level the tie, setting up a winner-takes-alldecider.
At the heart ofTelangana’s triumph was Bandaru Kiranmai, whose composure under pressure proveddecisive. Already tested in a gruelling opening rubber against Mayuri Dixit,where she edged through in five games, Kiranmai returned for the reversesingles with everything on the line. Facing Snehal Bhole Gulabrao in thedecider, she once again showcased remarkable resilience, battling throughanother five-game thriller to seal the title. Her twin victories—bothhard-fought 3–2 wins—tilted the balance in Telangana’s favour and underscoredher pivotal role in the final.
The match itself was afitting showpiece, marked by momentum swings and rallies. Sonali Asrani gaveTelangana the early edge with a straight-game win over Snehal, before Kiranmaidoubled the lead. Maharashtra responded through Winnie Carole and Mayuri Dixit,who brought the hosts back into contention and ignited comeback hopes.
But just as the pressurepeaked, Telangana held their nerve to close out the contest—though the finalmoments carried an unexpected sense of inevitability. Racing to a commanding7–2 lead in the decider, Kiranmai left little room for doubt as her opponent’sshoulders visibly dropped, and the outcome was all but sealed in ananti-climactic finish to an otherwise gripping final.
Earlier in the semifinals,Maharashtra survived a stern challenge from IA&AD, scraping through 3–2,while Telangana overcame Chhattisgarh 3–1 to book their place in the final.
In the other veterancategories, the competitions followed a round-robin league format, whereconsistency proved key and the number of wins determined standings. Maharashtrawomen asserted their dominance in the 45+ section, finishing ahead of Karnatakaand Gujarat. Gujarat emerged on top in the 50+ category, with Karnataka andMadhya Pradesh following, while hosts Maharashtra and Delhi rounded out thestandings. In the 55+ event, Maharashtra once again led the field, with Gujarat,IA&AD, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu completing the order.
The men’s team events willconclude today with the semifinals, and the finals will be played tomorrow.However, the women have already begun their singles group matches, with thedoubles to follow across sections.
Results: (Team):
Women 40 plus: Final:Telangana bt Maharashtra 3-2 (Sonali Asrani bt Snehal Bhole 11-8, 12-10, 11-6,Bandaru Kiranmai bt Mayuri Dixit 10-12, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6, Nisha Inanilost to Winne Carole 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, Sonal lost to Mayuri 13-11, 9-11,9-11, 11-5, 9-11, Bandaru bt Snehal 4-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2).
Semifinals: Maharashtra btIA&AD 3-2 (Snehal bt Dipasree Banerjee 11-7, 11-13, 11-7, 11-3, Mayuri lostto Shobhana Solanki 1-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 2-11, Winnie bt Gurvinder Kaur12-10, 11-4, 11-8, Snehal lost to Shobhana 4-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, Mayuribt Dipasree 13-11, 6-11, 16-14, 11-8); Telangana bt Chhattisgarh 3-1 (Bandarulost to Divya Amade 10-12, 15-17, 6-11, Sonal bt Pramila Dewangan 11-6, 9-11,11-6, 11-6, Nisha bt Monika Diwan 11-5, 11-7, 11-3, Sonal bt Divya 11-9, 9-11,6-11, 11-8, 11-7).
Women 45 plus: Round-RobinPositions: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
Women 50 plus: Round-RobinPositions: Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
Women 55 plus: Round-RobinPositions: Maharashtra, Gujarat, IA&AD, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
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