The preparations for the 2026 Asian Games are also complicated by a selection row for the world's top table tennis player Manika Batra. The paddler is believed to be among the reserves and questions on the selection process are being widely discussed ahead of this continental event.
Former Indian Olympian and table tennis player Neha Aggarwal Sharma has now given her perspective on the issues and also discussed India’s chances at the Asian Games, the country’s poor performance in terms of Asian powerhouses and who she will be closely following during the competition.
Neha told Zee News Digital that the controversy is not as much a case of a star player trying to bypass the federation but rather the need for clear selection policies that athletes are aware of and prepare for that, she said.
Neha said that selection policies apply to players across the board. And if there is an exception or deviation from a rule, the decision is made by the selection committee, she said. Her comments come as Batra is still under the microscope as per the plans for the Asian Games.
Neha also said that federations and selection committees have a duty to select the strongest possible team for major international competitions. At the same time, she did want to keep our attention on the issue and rather to focus on the athletes who will represent India at the Games.
As the Asian Games approach, Neha notes the focus should now be on supporting the selected squad. What has already happened can’t be changed and the focus should be on preparing the team and supporting its campaign, she said.
India still behind China, Japan and Korea
Neha had a candid view of India's position in Asian table tennis. India is still behind traditional powerhouses China, Japan and South Korea, and her comments are that the gap has been narrowing over the years.
Neha said India has made progress in terms of rankings and performances, but consistency against the world’s best players still needs to be addressed. The difficulty of the country is now not just the resources, she said.
As she also says government support for athletes has been growing considerably, as well as organisations like Olympic Gold Quest and private investors are also making contributions to India's sporting ecosystem. So planning, training and recovery are now more important.
The workload for top table tennis players is also a factor. With the elite athletes competing in 15 to 16 tournaments a year, the physical condition and recovery can have a great impact on performance. Neha said more attention to these areas could help Indian players to be more consistent against the strongest opponents.
Players to watch at Asian Games 2026
Neha also mentioned some Indian players she is looking forward to watching at the Asian Games. These included Synderella Das, Manush and Dia, along with the Manav-Manush doubles combination.
She felt especially excited about Synderella Das and said she could make an impact if given opportunities in the women's team and women's doubles events. And India's doubles combinations could help shape the country's medal chances, she said.
Doubles events may play a big role in major team events and strong partnerships can provide an additional opportunity for India to challenge higher-ranked opponents.
India's 100-Medal Target
India will also be watching the wider Asian Games campaign closely as it aims to build on its performances at previous editions. Talking about the possibility of India breaking the 100-medal mark, Neha said that it would be a big achievement.
She also described the Asian Games as an important stage in India’s preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. When India competes in the continental competition, the results will tell athletes and sports federations where India stands against international competition.
In the Indian table tennis team, we are going to be focusing on the Indian table tennis players selected to compete and their ability to play under pressure. The Manika Batra controversy has dominated much of the build-up, but Neha’s message was to focus on the team that will take the court.
As the Asian Games draw closer, India's table tennis contingent will be expected to make the most of its preparation, experience and growing support system. The competition will provide another opportunity for Indian paddlers to test themselves against some of Asia's strongest players and assess their progress on the road to the 2028 Olympics.
