Telangana, Gujarat men claim team titles

By Narendra Bhale

Indore (Team Newsbuddy): In a display of exceptional skill and determination at the UTT 31st Masters National Championships, team events delivered unforgettable moments at the Abhay Prashal Indoor Hall. Telangana’s 40+ team and Gujarat’s 50+ team emerged victorious in their respective finals, with Telangana overpowering Maharashtra-A 3-1 and Gujarat claiming a hard-fought win over Indian Audit by the same margin. With the team events now wrapped up for the day, the spotlight shifts to 10 more finals scheduled for tomorrow, including exhilarating singles matchups in the 40+ and 50+ divisions and high-stakes doubles clashes.

The Telangana men set an energetic tone early on when Chandra Chud Vanapalli decisively beat Maharashtra’s Onkar Hari Jog in straight sets, establishing an immediate advantage. Zubair Farooq then showcased remarkable resilience by overturning an initial setback to defeat Santosh Wakradkar 3-1, further boosting Telangana’s momentum.

Although Maharashtra’s Kedar Sudhir managed to level the contest with a thrilling five-game duel against Tirthadip Ghosh, it was Chandra Chud’s steadfast performance—marked by a pivotal win in a tense second deuce game—that ultimately sealed the championship. The Maharashtra teams that celebrated several medal wins in other team events, had to settle for silver as Telangana’s consistent performance proved too dominant.

In the fiercely contested 50+ category, Gujarat’s journey was defined by perseverance and tactical brilliance. Without the early advantage that Telangana’s 40+ counterparts enjoyed, the Gujarat team fought tooth and nail. Mihir Vyas opened proceedings with a gritty 3-1 win over Santosh Khirwarkar, setting a challenging tone for the match. However, the battle intensified when star player Malay Kumar Thakkar was pushed to the limit by Indian Audit’s Santanu Banerjee.

Despite a closely contested third game that saw Malay temporarily reclaim momentum, Santanu’s varied pace and relentless determination in the fourth game—concluding with a nail-biting 12-10 finish—kept the contest finely balanced. Not to be outdone, Gujarat’s Hiral Mehta rose to the occasion by dispatching Gaurav Doshi 3-1, including a crucial deuce win, and Mihir regrouped to clinch the remaining games amid a raucous display of support from the bench and fans alike.

Both finalists enjoyed relatively smooth semifinal outings. Gujarat dismantled Delhi B as Harsh Chopra struggled to contain the force of Malay Thakkar in the opening rubber, and the combination of Mihir and Hiral secured straightforward victories over Rahul Chopra and Diwakar Joshi to propel their team into the final.

Meanwhile, RBI’s campaign met a stern test against a formidable IA&AD side, where the impressive trio of Sikandar Jam, Santanu Banerjee, and Santosh Khirwarkar outclassed RBI’s representatives Jagat Singh Bisht, Mukul Boro, and Abhay Gupta.

As the day drew to a close, the stage is now set for tomorrow’s conclusive round of finals. With a blend of seasoned expertise and dynamic youthful energy on display, the Championships promises further thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments in the final leg of the tournament.

RESULTS (TEAM):

Men’s Singles 40+: Telangana bt Maharashtra A 3-1 (Chandra V. Chud bt Onkar Hari Jog 11-9, 12-10, 11-7, Zubair Farooqui bt Santosh R. Wakradkar 11-13, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6, Tirthadip Ghosh lost to Kedar S. Kasbekar 12-10, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, Chandra Chud bt Santosh Raoji 11-7, 12-10, 11-5)

Semifinals: Telangana bt IA&AD-Aa 3-1; Maharashtra bt Tamil Nadu A 3-1.

Men’s Singles 50+: Gujarat A bt IA&AD-A 3-1 (Mihir Vyas bt Santosh Khirwarkar 11-7, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, Malaykumar Thakkar lost to Santanu Banerjee 4-11, 7-11, 11-9, 10-12, Hiral Mehta bt Gaurav Doshi 12-10, 11-6, 12-14, 11-2, Mihir bt Santanu 12-10, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7).

Semifinals: Gujarat A bt Delhi B 3-0; IA&AD-A bt RBI 3-0.