UTT | Meshref’s injury derails Jaguars as Challengers prove too hot to handle

Dina Meshref's injury impacts PBG Pune Jaguars in UTT match against Dempo Goa Challengers, leading to a 10-5 loss.

The toss was done, and the line-ups were announced.

But during the warm-ups, Dina Meshref – PBG Pune Jaguars’ ace paddler of the Ultimate Table Tennis’ sixth season – pulled out after having hurt her back during its last outing.

Such was the blow for Jaguars that they never recovered from it and lost to defending champion Dempo Goa Challengers 5-10.

Goa Challengers started strongly and took a 7-2 lead in the first three ties itself. Had Anirban Ghosh – the surprise package of the season – not stunned veteran Tiago Apolonia and Reeth Rishya not taken a game off Zeng Jian, the Jaguars would have faced a mauling.

The 10-5 scoreline in favour of the Goa outfit eventually kept both teams in the hunt for the semifinals.

As per the UTT rules, Jaguars had to pick a replacement from the choice of two overseas players. It went with South Korea’s Zion Lee.

But with the sudden call-up, Zion wilted under the big-match pressure as Krittwika Sinha Roy stunned the Korean 2-1.