Not for nothing Soumyajit Ghosh is considered as India’s next big thing in table tennis after Achantha Sharath Kamal. Not for nothing Ghosh is the reigning national champion and boarded the bus to the london Olympics.
On Tuesday at the Thyagraj Indoor Stadium, he dispelled all doubts about his abilities with two crucial wins which proved to be pivotal in India’s entry into the men’s team final at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships.
Despite witnessing one of his idols — veteran Kamal — being upset in the first game by 18-year old and 545th ranked Samuel Walker of England, Ghosh showed maturity and the way he handled the pressure was exemplary. With his team 1-0 down and a five-time Commonwealth Games winner in Andrew Baggaley in front of him, the 19-year old was confidence-personified and exhibited brilliant form. He rattled the 143rd-ranked English with quick reflexes and smart thinking. Making best of an out-of-form Baggaley, the 187th Indian literality toyed with the experienced player and dominated from the start. Before Baggaley regained his touch, it was too late for him.
When Baggaley tried to unsettle him with long shots, he countered the long rallies with equal might and never looked like losing. He won in straight sets by a margin of 11-7, 11-8, 11-4.
Youthful Exuberance
His show was part of a short story of youthful exuberance prevailing against old war horses.
In the first game, Kamal lost to Walker who is an 18-year old player, going down 10-12, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11. Kamal lost against the youngster who had better reflexes and superior agility. Kamal’s game showed that he has lost some of his speed and he was not able to warm up properly since the match took place early in the morning.
In the tie against Baggaley, Ghosh was energy-personified while the Englishman looked fragile. Ghosh took several points with his fast-moves and quick anticipation. The Indian defended well and counter-attacked much better.
Harmeet’s five-setter
After Ghosh’s victory equalized the draw at 1-1, India fielded another youngster — 19-year old Harmeet Desai — against 23-year old and 231st ranked Daniel Reed and the duo engaged in a long and grueling five-setter.
Desai lost the first game 5-11 but fought back and won second game 11-9 before again failing 9-11. In the fourth game, the 275th-ranked Indian battled with intelligence and took the fourth game 11-5 before running out of steam in the final game 7-11.
Match of veterans
With the hosts trailing 1-2, it was down to the experienced Kamal to make keep the tie alive for India and he was pitted against Baggaley. Determined to make amend for the first game loss, the 30-year old was full of concentration and focus and this outlook paid off for him.
Baggaley, who was already rattled by Ghosh in the earlier match, failed to raise his game and Kamal just ensured that his confidence remained low. After a 11-9 win in the first game, Kamal was back in full force and he looked a completely different player. He was ruthless in the next two games, getting six points before conceding one in both games at the beginning. He continued to pressurize Baggaley and sailed past with a 11-7, 11-7 scoreline.
In the decider, the onus was on young Ghosh to again rise to the occasion and help India enter final for the sixth consecutive time. Ghosh started on a bright note, taking a 5-0 lead. But Walker fought his way back to finally lose the game 11-7. Ghosh went ahead in every game and was in full control which helped him tame the Englishman 12-10, 11-6 as Walker failed to counter the Indian’s speed.
Ghosh later said that he was determined to show his class. “After Kamal bhai lost, there was a lot of pressure and we were 0-1 down. But I thought that this is my time and I will show my class and quality. It was upon me to win the crucial second tie and the decider. I was in full control right from the start and I was on top of my game against both the players. It feels good to help the team reach final 3-2. This is my second year on the international scene and I feel proud to represent the country,” Ghosh said.
Asked if he is ready to take over the burden off Kamal, the modest youngster said, “Kamal is a great player. I don’t think I am the best player in India. Kamal and Anthony Amalraj are better players than me.”
Eves settle for bronze
Although the Indian men’s team entered the final, the eves had to settle for bronze after going down to England 2-3 in the semifinals.
The Indian women’s team gave a good fight against England, who are the second seeds. In the first two matches, Mouma Das and Madhurika Patkar lost their battles against Kelly Sibley and Joana Parker respectively. Mouma lost a five-setter 5-11, 11-9, 12-14, 11-6, 7-11 while Madhurika lost in straight sets.
But the Indians fought back via Neha Aggarwal’s 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9 verdict over Hannah Hick and Mouma who routed Joana 11-4, 11-6, 11-3.
However, in the decider, Madhurika went down to Sibley 11-4, 2-11, 9-11, 6-11.