India’s Under-19 boys’ team scripted a historic milestone on Monday, advancing to the final of the ITTF World Youth Championships for the first time ever. Competing in Romania, the trio of Ankur Bhattacharjee, P. B. Abhinandh, and Priyanjuj Bhattacharya delivered a spirited performance to edge past Chinese Taipei 3-2 in a thrilling semifinal. The victory sets up a high-stakes final against Japan, scheduled for Tuesday.
India began strongly with Bhattacharjee securing a hard-fought 3-2 win over Hsu Hsien-Chia in the opening match, giving his side early momentum. However, Chinese Taipei struck back almost immediately, as Kuo Guan-Hong defeated Abhinandh 3-1 to level the tie.
Priyanjuj Bhattacharya then stepped up under pressure, reclaiming the lead for India with a tense 3-2 victory over Lin Chin-Ting. The back-and-forth battle continued when Kuo returned to the table and dominated Bhattacharjee 3-0, pushing the contest into a decisive fifth match.
With the score tied at 2-2, Abhinandh produced a commanding performance to seal India’s passage into the final. His 3-0 win over Hsu not only broke Chinese Taipei’s resistance but also showcased the composure and determination that has defined India’s campaign at the championships.
This achievement marks a significant step forward for Indian table tennis at the youth level, reflecting the steady growth and competitive depth in the sport. Reaching the final of a world championship event underscores the progress the country’s junior players have made in recent years.
In contrast to the U-19 boys’ success, the India U-15 girls’ team—comprising Ankolika Chakraborty, Divyanshi Bhowmick, and Ananya Muralidharan—finished with a bronze medal after a 0-3 loss to South Africa in the semifinals. While they missed out on a place in the final, their podium finish remains a commendable result on the global stage.
As the U-19 boys prepare to meet Japan in the final, India now stands on the brink of a potential world title. Their journey so far has been defined by resilience, teamwork, and the ability to rise in pressure moments—qualities they will hope to carry into Tuesday’s historic showdown.
