Ankur Bhattacharjee’s quiet rise from family coaching to leading Kolkata’s playoff charge in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 6
When Ankur Bhattacharjee first picked up a table tennis paddle, he was just nine years old. There was no academy, no formal setup—only a table in the living room and his mother standing across from him, feeding balls with quiet determination. She had once played for India herself, and she believed her son could go further. That belief was the foundation of Ankur’s journey.
Like most boys growing up in Kolkata, Ankur loved cricket. He idolised Virat Kohli and admired the flair of Hardik Pandya. But his parents had other plans. His mother sat him down one day and said, “Everyone plays cricket. You play table tennis.” He laughed at the time. But within a year, he was state under-19 champion, and the laughter turned to focus.
Soon, his father—also a former national player—took over his training. Between school and homework, Ankur trained with intensity, often playing only against his parents. No coaches, no camps, no international exposure in his early years—just a small family that quietly believed in excellence. That belief carried him through. He went on to win three consecutive national titles in the under-19 category and picked up three bronze medals at the Junior Asian Championships. He was no longer a hopeful. He was India’s rising star.
Now, at 19, Ankur is making headlines in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 6. Representing debut franchise Kolkata Thunder Blades, he’s unbeaten so far and was instrumental in the team’s thrilling 8–7 win over Chennai Lions. His most talked-about moment came when he stunned world No. 55 Kirill Gerassimenko in straight games—an upset that didn’t just rattle the opposition, but set the tone for Kolkata’s playoff push.
Behind the big wins, little has changed. Ankur still trains with his parents whenever he’s home. “I’ve beaten top internationals while training under my father. I think that answers the question,” he says when asked if he plans to switch to a high-profile coach. He still carries that same youthful energy, that same humble swagger. There are no short cuts in his world—just long rallies, patient routines, and a deep-rooted love for the game passed down from one generation to the next.
As Kolkata heads into their final league match with a playoff berth on the line, the youngest player on the team might just be its most composed. He plays with fire, but speaks with quiet resolve. And whether or not the Thunder Blades make the semifinals, one thing is certain: Ankur Bhattacharjee’s story is only getting started.
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