Mumbai
How did the magic begin for you? You were placed outside 300 in ITTF rankings five years ago. What caused this meteoric rise in your performance?
I like that you used the term ‘magic’, but let’s be clear, there is no magic in sports. For me, it is all about dedication and making improvements in different aspects of my game.
You emphasise on improving ‘aspects’ of your game. What area of change or improvement have you been targeting recently?
I was a safe player and defence was my strong suit. This eventually helped me achieve success at the junior level, but after I arrived under the coaching of Subramaniam Raman in 2012, he made me realise that I should add a strong attack on both flanks and try to finish off games in three serves instead of playing ten.
At junior levels, playing a safe game is a good strategy as you can bank on your opponent on making a mistake at some point, but you need more at the world stage.
I started improving on the forehand, strong landing, and counter-attack with some improvisations. I think putting faith in Raman sir’s strategy was the best change that happened to my game.
Players like Sharath Kamal, Manika Batra and you are looked upon as inspiration by the younger generation. Do you feel it brings additional pressure or does it help you thrive in sports?
No, high expectations never pull me down. Being a role model for the country is what I had dreamed of as a youngster and it is what I call sweet pressure.
It gets me going when I am out of form or low in spirits. I think of my parents and all the supporters who expect great performances from me — helps me better my game.
You speak of all the support you have. Any particular heart-breaking loss that was tough on you?
For me, the loss in 2018 National Championship final to Sharath was very tough. It was my third national final and the title was still eluding me. Missing out on the championship with such a narrow margin (4-3) was gut-wrenching.
You shone for India in 2018 Asian Games. At what stage of your life did you feel you would be able to make it big for India?
I was good at studies, but my mother wanted me to be active in sports as well. Back then, a new table tennis centre had opened up in our locality. So, this sport was the obvious pick.
I started playing at the age of five. And in two years from then, I played at state level. At 12, I was there at the national level. Winning the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune made me realise that I could make it big for India.
What is your next target? Top 15 in ITTF World Rankings perhaps?
I believe in processing goals, we (my team) plan something and then try it out in a game to see how it impacts me.
Once the target is achieved we plan on the next move. It’s important to focus on short term targets and improving fitness and agility. The ranking then takes care of itself.
And for the long term?
I am trying my best and training hard for the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games in foresight. Success there would be icing on the cake after the Asian Games medal.
What impact has the Ultimate Table Tennis made to the sport in India?
The league has had a huge impact on the sport in India. It’s been the catalyst that we needed for the sport to grow. Playing with top foreign players and being able to beat them is a great confidence-booster.
Dabang Delhi has retained you this year and you are the defending champions. Out of six teams, which do you feel is the team to beat this year?
Of course, it has to be us, we are the defending champions (laughs). We have a great management that puts faith in their players and me as a team captain will try to keep everyone motivated. I am positive that we will retain the trophy this year.
