Akula became India’s number-1 TT player by defeating Manika Batra
Commonwealth Games mixed doubles champion Sreeja Akula achieved a career-best ranking of 38th in the new ITTF rankings and became India’s top female table tennis player by surpassing veteran Manika Batra. Sreeja has gained one rank but India’s top seed Manika has lost two places and slipped to 39th in the world rankings. Srija won the WTT Feeder Fourpas Christi and Feeder Beirut titles this year. Sreeja won the mixed doubles gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with Sharath Kamal. Sharath Kamal is India’s top male player at 37th position. G Sathiyan and Manav Thakkar are ranked 60th and 61st respectively. Harmeet Desai has slipped to 64th position. India has qualified for the team event at the Paris Olympics.