Bengal retains the U-19 title, leaving TN as runners

Vadodara (Team Newsbuddy): West Bengal once again proved their supremacy by dominating Tamil Nadu 3-0 in the Youth Boys Under-19 team final to secure the coveted 86th UTT Junior and Youth Nationals trophy at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex .

The team, top-seeded in the competition, displayed exceptional focus and determination, successfully defending their title and underlining their credentials as the nation’s strongest youth team.

Tamil Nadu, despite their best efforts and the presence of their star paddler P.B. Abhinand, couldn’t disrupt Bengal’s momentum and had to settle for the runners-up spot for the second year running. Abhinand, still competing in the Under-17 category, fought valiantly against Bengal’s Punit Biswas in a marathon five-game battle. While the Tamil Nadu boy claimed one game and narrowly lost two others, he couldn’t sustain his effort through the decider. His resilience and never-say-die attitude, however, remain commendable and a source of inspiration for his team.

The final began with Ankur of Bengal facing Tamil Nadu’s Balamurugan. Despite a tentative start and some early errors, Ankur quickly found his rhythm and executed a clinical performance to win in straight games, giving Bengal a crucial 1-0 lead.

In the second match, Punit Biswas faced Abhinand’s formidable challenge. The Tamil Nadu paddler started strong, taking the first game with well-placed shots and aggressive rallies. However, Punit responded with precision and poise, levelling the score and maintaining control in a high-stakes, see-saw contest. In the deciding fifth game, both players pushed their limits, but it was Punit who held his nerve to secure the victory, extending Bengal’s lead.

With the trophy in sight, Shankhadip took on Tamil Nadu’s Preyesh Raj in the third match. After a close first game, Shankhadip turned up the intensity, exploiting his opponent’s unforced errors to dominate the second game. The third game saw Preyesh struggle with consistency, allowing Shankhadip to seal the win comfortably and deliver the championship to West Bengal.

Earlier, in the semifinals, West Bengal’s lineup included Oishik Ghosh alongside their regulars, testing the bench strength more than a strategic move that paid dividends. Ankur and Shankhadip secured emphatic 3-0 wins against Assam’s Divyaj and Priyanuj Bhattacharyya, respectively. Oishik, playing his first match of the tournament, overcame initial nerves and rallied strongly after dropping the first game to win 3-1, ensuring a smooth passage to the final.

Tamil Nadu had an easier path in their semifinal against Maharashtra. Balamurugan set the tone with his first and solid victory over Maharashtra’s top player Kushal Chopda, effectively breaking their resistance. Abhinand and Preyesh followed up with dominant performances, completing a comprehensive win for Tamil Nadu.

As the tournament progresses, the Under-17 Boys are set to contest their singles semifinals later this evening, with the finals scheduled for tomorrow. The Under-19 Boys, meanwhile, will continue up to their pre-quarterfinals, setting the stage for a thrilling finale, including in the doubles, on the concluding day.

Results:

Boys Team Events: Final: West Bengal bt Tamil Nadu 3-0 (Ankur Bhattacharjee bt M.R. Balamurugan 12-10, 11-9, 11-9; Punit Biswas bt P.B Abhinand 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9; Shankadip Das bt Preyesh Raj Suresh 11-9, 11-7, 11-9).

Semifinals: West Bengal bt Assam 3-1 (Ankur bt Divyaj Rajkhowa Roy 11-4, 11-6, 11-8; Shankadip lost to Priyanuj Bhattacharyya 12-10, 11-8, 11-5; Oishik Ghosh bt Swapnanil Dutta 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6; Ankur bt Priyanuj 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5); Tamil Nadu bt Maharashtra 3-0 (Balamurugan bt Kushal Chopda 11-8, 11-9, 11-9; Abhinand bt Neil Mulye 11-7, 11-7, 13-15, 12-10; Preyesh bt Dhruv Shah 11-8, 11-2, 11-6).