Senior National TT | RBI women stun PSPB for third title in four years

RBI women's team secures third title in four years, while PSPB men dominate with their 24th consecutive championship win.

The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) men’s team clinched its 24th consecutive title, defeating West Bengal in the final of the 87th inter-State and senior National table tennis championship, sponsored by Ultimate Table Tennis, on Tuesday.

However, the highlight of the day was the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) women’s team scripting a remarkable comeback to edge past PSPB in a thrilling final at the Abhay Prashal Indoor Stadium, securing its third title in four years. In a contest that lasted over three hours, Sreeja Akula — India’s highest-ranked paddler — defeated Yashaswini Ghorpade in the deciding fifth game of the final rubber to seal the victory.

PSPB had looked set for a double when Taneesha Kotecha stunned Sreeja in the opening match, and Yashaswini comfortably beat Ayhika Mukherjee to give her team a 2-0 lead.

Diya Chitale, the reigning National champion, found herself trailing 1-6 in the second game against teenager Syndrela Das after losing the opener. However, Diya turned the tide with aggressive play, countering Syndrela’s sidespin returns to keep RBI in contention.

Ayhika then levelled the tie by dominating Taneesha to force a decider. In the final match, Sreeja held her nerve, unleashing her trademark down-the-line forehand topspin winners at crucial moments to clinch the title.

The men’s final, as expected, was largely one-sided. However, veteran Harmeet Desai was tested by left-hander Bodhisatwa Chaudhury. After leading 2-0 and 9-3, Harmeet appeared to lose focus, conceding eight consecutive points to drop the game. Bodhisatwa carried the momentum forward to level the match at two games apiece, but Harmeet’s experience ultimately prevailed as he won the decider to secure both the match and PSPB’s title.