Asian Games 2026: Yashaswini Ghorpade Powers India Into Table Tennis Quarterfinals
Yashaswini Ghorpade won both her matches as India’s women’s table tennis team defeated Thailand 3-2 to reach the Asian Games 2026 quarterfinals.
India’s women’s table tennis team fought back from 1-2 down to defeat Thailand 3-2 in the Round of 16 at the 2026 Asian Games, booking a place in the quarterfinals.
Yashaswini Ghorpade was central to the comeback, winning both of her matches. The 21-year-old first defeated Suthasini Sawettabut 3-2 after trailing 1-2, then returned to beat Orawan Paranang 3-0, keeping India’s campaign alive when the tie was on the line.
Sreeja Akula had lost the opening match after surrendering a two-game lead against Paranang, while Diya Chitale was beaten by Jinnipa Sawettabut in another five-game contest. With Thailand leading 2-1, Ghorpade’s second victory levelled the tie before Sreeja delivered in the deciding match to complete India’s comeback.
India will now face North Korea in the quarterfinals, with a win securing a place in the medal rounds. The women’s team entered the knockout stage unbeaten after winning all three of its group matches.
India’s men’s team, meanwhile, exited the competition after losing 0-3 to South Korea in their Round of 16 tie. Harmeet Desai, Manush Shah and Manav Thakkar were beaten in their respective matches.
For the women’s team, the next match is where the pressure gets real. Ghorpade has already shown she can handle it.
