Chengdu, China — As the 3rd edition of the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup dawns in Chengdu’s Sichuan Provincial Gymnasium, the Indian contingent arrives with a mix of experience, ambition and Olympic dreams. The tournament — set to run from 30 November to 7 December 2025 — assumes extra importance this year, as mixed-team table tennis has recently been added to the Olympic programme.
Indian squad & hopes
Leading the charge are seasoned stars Manika Batra and Manav Thakkar, set to carry India’s hopes in both discipline and spirit. They are joined by a strong supporting cast including Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Akash Pal, and promising newcomers Payas Jain, Yashashwini Ghorpade, Swastika Ghosh, and Diya Chitale.
Reflecting on the opportunity, organisers noted that with the Olympic inclusion, “the stakes have never been higher.” For India, this could be the breakthrough moment — after previous editions ended at the group stage.
Format, Groups & Path Ahead
The competition features 16 teams, divided into four groups of four. India finds itself in Group 2, alongside Japan, Australia and Croatia. The top two from each group move to Stage 2.
From there, qualified teams enter a second stage where they play round-robin — except against teams they have already faced in Group Stage (those results carry forward). Finally, the top four teams progress to the semi-finals.
A tie between two countries consists of five matches in a fixed order: Mixed Doubles → Women’s Singles → Men’s Singles → then two doubles (order depends on team captains). Each individual match is best of 3 games. The first team to reach 8 game wins takes the tie — making every game count.
Where to Watch & What’s at Stake
All the action will be streamed live on the official International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World YouTube channel — bringing global table-tennis fans a front-row seat.
With Olympic qualification looming and ranking points at stake (the tournament now carries higher weight), India’s paddlers know this Cup isn’t just about prestige — it could set the tone for their trail to LA 2028.
What to Watch
Will Manika Batra’s experience and Manav Thakkar’s aggressive attacking style (he’s shown flair in recent WTT events) give India an edge?
Can the combination of seasoned pros and fresh talent — especially from players like Payas Jain and Yashashwini Ghorpade — push India beyond the group stage for the first time?
And perhaps most importantly — can India send a statement ahead of the Olympics, turning aspiration into achievement?
As the teams prepare to rally, the eyes of table-tennis fans back home will be glued to Chengdu — India’s challenge begins now.
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