Ishaan Hingorani powers Kachchh to first-ever final in men’s team event

SBI Gujarat State & Inter-District Table Tennis Championship 2021

GANDHIDHAM, AUG 29: Hosts Kachchh scripted a history that brought unprecedented joy to the local supporters as they marched into the Men’s Team Final at the SBI Gujarat State & Inter-District Table Tennis Championship-2021 that is being played at the Late M.P. Mittra Indoor Stadium, Haresh Sangtani Sports Complex in Adipur, Gandhidham.
Ishaan Hingorani was the fulcrum of the team’s path-breaking performance as he made his experience count and led the team with aplomb for their maiden appearance in the marquee event of the Championship, co-sponsored by WinWin Maritime Limited and supported by the Sports Authority of Gujarat and Kachchh District Table Tennis Association (KDTTA).
In the semi-finals, Kachchh continued their dream run in the tournament while ending an impressive show from Rajkot, who shocked formidable Bhavnagar during the group stage to reach the last-four stage.
Ishaan drew the first blood for the hosts when he defeated Chintan Oza, who came out with some impressive performances at the group stages, 11-5, 11-7, 12-10. But Rajkot levelled the tie when Jaynil Mehta beat Umang Thapa 11-4, 11-8, 11-6.
The joy for Rajkot was short-lived as Mihir Gandhi restored Kachchh’s lead with a 12-10, 11-4, 11-9 win over Sikander Jam before Ishaan sealed the deal with an 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 win over Jaynil Mehta.
“It is a momentous day for table tennis at Kachchh. This is an incredible performance from the young team as they reach their maiden Men’s Team final. The performance today speaks of the legacy of late Mr Haresh Sangtani, our former honorary secretary who had worked hard to make the sport popular in the district. I am very happy to see all our efforts are bearing fruits,” said GSTTA president Mr Vipul Mittra, IAS, who is also the president of KDTTA.
Earlier in Group C, Kachchh blanked Anand 3-0 and scripted a 3-1 win over Valsad but their biggest win came over third seeded Vadodara when Ishaan stamped his class with his wins over Keval Makwana (3-1) and seasoned Jalay Mehta (3-2) while Mihir shrugged off his earlier loss to seal the deal in his win over Keval (3-0) in the decider.
In Group B, Rajkot looked at their fighting best as they shocked second seed Bhavnagar 3-2 before dominating Aravalli and Porbandar with identical 3-0 wins to reach the semis.
Meanwhile, the formidable girls from Surat dominated the women’s and girls’ team events as they reach the final in both categories.
In the women’s semi-finals, a star-studded Surat blanked Ahmedabad 3-0 with India no.7 Krittwika Sinha Roy leading the charge with an 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 win over Kavisha Shah.
Frenaz Chipia had to bring all her experience to the fore as she overcame a spirited Kausha Bhairapure 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2 in a thrilling tie. Aafrien Murad then settled the issue with an 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 win over Purvanshi Acharya.
The top seed Surat will not face second seed Bhavnagar who blanked Vadodara 3-0.
Naitri Dave gave Bhavnagar the lead with an 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 win over Purva Nimbalkar while Namna Jayswal beat Sheli Patel 11-5, 8-11, 13-11, 11-8 and Pratham Parmar edged out Jeeya Lakhani 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 to seal the deal.
In the Junior Girls’ Team final, top seed Surat will lock horns with Ahmedabad who shocked second seed Bhavnagar 3-1.
Kausha gave Ahmedabad the lead with a 4-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8 win over Naitri while Angel Parkar overcame a mid-game slump to beat Namna 11-4, 13-11, 5-11, 5-11, 11-8 to make it 2-0.
Jaanya Parekh’s 7-11, 6-11, 4-11 loss to Charmi Patel only delayed the inevitable as Kausha looked at her resilient best to seal the deal with a fighting 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 4-11, 12-10 win over Namna. Meanwhile, Surat faced little hassle in their 3-0 win over Vadodara.
Aafrien came from a game down to beat Sheli Patel 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 while Filzah Kadri too took four games to get better of Purva Nimbalkar for an 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 win.
Bhavya Jayswal then sealed the fate of the tie with an 11-3, 11-3, 12-10 win over Sakshi Navani.