Paris 2024 Olympics: India men’s table tennis team loses to China in round of 16

India lost 0-3 to China in its maiden Olympic appearance in the team event on Tuesday.

India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta returns the ball during his men’s table tennis singles match in the team round of 16 between China and India. | Photo Credit: AFP

India’s men’s table tennis team’s maiden Olympic appearance saw an opening round exit after the side went down 0-3 to China at the Paris Olympics 2024 on Tuesday.

China started with a straight games victory in the doubles match with Ma Long and Wang Chuqin beating Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar 11-2, 11-3, 11-7.

Veteran Sharath Kamal brought some consolation when he won the opening game 211-9 against Fan Zhendong in the following singles match. However, the gold medal winner in the men’s singles at Paris turned the tale around by taking the next three games 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.

Thakkar was given the job to prolonge the tie to a fourth game but went down 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 to Chuqin.