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Indian representatives began their World Team Table Tennis Championships journey on a positive note by winning their first game in the tournament.
Both the men’s and women’s teams, who have participated in the second division of the biennial tournament, defeated Argentina and Nigeria respectively.
The men’s team led by Sharath Kamal bagged a clean 3-0 victory over the Argentinians, while the women had to come from behind to earn a hard fought win over the Nigerians.
Madhurika Patkar lost the opening encounter against Offion Edem 6-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 13-15 , putting the women’s team on the back foot.
Shamini Kumaresan brought parity with her experience as she defeated Oshonaike 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5 in a match that lasted five games.
Delhi’s Manika Batra put India into the lead for the first time by brushing aside Cecilia Akpan 11-3, 11-6, 11-5 while the returning Shamini sealed things off with a convincing win over Edem with a scoreline of 11-8, 11-8, 12-10.
The top two teams from the 24 in contention will qualify for the Championships division in the next edition. Australia are the next opponents for the men’s team while the women will have to overcome Portugal tomorrow.
