Vedant Kakkad staged a fine rally to get the better of Nirav Gupta 3-2 in the opening round match of the Maharashtra State Prize-Money Table Tennis tournament 2025-2026, which commenced at the Khar Gymkhana on Tuesday. This tournament is being organised under the auspices of the MSTTA (Maharashtra State Table Tennis Association).
The Suburban Table Tennis Association (TSTTA) witnessed a close encounter as Kakkad, representing TSTTA, edged out Nirav Gupta from Mumbai City 11-8, 5-11, 11-13, 11-5, and 11-9 in the boys’ under-15 singles category.
Ishaan Kiyawat (TSTTA) was another notable winner in the same section, coming back from a first-game loss to edge past Aarav Bhattacharya 3-1. Bhattacharya won the first game 11-7, but thereafter it was Ishaan all the way, clinching a 7-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-4 win.
Aakarshan Yadav (TSTTA) overcame the challenge from Rishabh Yadav (Thane) 3-1 to win the game 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8. Kabir Bhasin (Mumbai City) defeated Ridant Verulkar (TSTTA) 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5) and Viraj Ajgaonkar (Mumbai City) overcame Sanhit Jambekar (TSTTA) 3-1 (11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10) in other matches.
In the girls under-13 group, Riddhi Singh (Thane) overcame Swara Gudekar (Mumbai City) 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6), recovering from a first-game loss.
Results -
Boys' U-13: Yuvaan Walia (Mumbai City) bt Rishabh Yadav (Thane) 3-0 (11-2, 11-1, 11-3);
Girls' U-13: Jashwi Rawool (TSTTA) bt Insiyaah Tapia (Mumbai City) 3-0 (11-1, 11-2, 11-4);
Riddhi Singh (Thane) bt Swara Gudekar (Mumbai City) -1 (6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6);
Samrudhi Manvekar (Kolhapur) bt Unnati Misar 3-1 (11-4, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6);
Boys' U-15: Hridaan Shah (Thane) bt Arnav Pawar (Mumbai City 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-6);
Vedant Kakkad (TSTTA) bt Nirav Gupta (Mumbai City) 3-2 (11-8, 5-11, 11-13, 11-5, 11-9);
Kabir Bhasin (Mumbai City) bt Ridant Verulkar (TSTTA) 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5);
Raghav Mahale (Nashik) bt Kiaan Savla 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-3);
Viraj Ajgaonkar (Mumbai City) bt Sanhit Jambekar (TSTTA) 3-1 (11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10);
Ishaan Kiyawat (TSTTA) bt Aarav Bhattacharya (Mum City) 3-1 (7-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-4);
Aakarshan Yadav (TSTTA) bt Rishabh Yadav(Thane) 3-1 (11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8).