Manika Batra left out of Asian TT Championships team after ‘match-fixing’ allegation against coach

The federation had made attendance in camps compulsory following the Tokyo Olympics. Manika Batra had informed the federation that she would like to continue training with her personal coach in Pune.

Indian paddler Manika Batra was on Wednesday (September 17) left out of the India squad for the Asian Championships beginning September 28 in Doha after she did not attend the mandatory national camp in Sonepat. In the absence of the world number 56th player, 97th-ranked Sutirtha Mukherjee will lead the women’s team. The other members are Ayhika Mukherjee (ranked 131) and Archana Kamath (132).

Veteran Sharath Kamal (ranked 33) will spearhead the men’s challenge in the company of G Sathiyan (38), Harmeet Desai (72), Manav Thakkar (134) and Sanil Shetty (247). Powerhouse China is not taking part in the event, raising medal hopes in the men's team event. Singles and doubles competitions will also be conducted.

The Table Tennis Federation of India had made it clear that any player not attending the camp will not be considered for selection. The team was picked on Wednesday and was subsequently published on TTFI website.