Telangana women beat Maharashtra to win National Masters table tennis title

Telangana women defeated hosts Maharashtra 3-2 in a thrilling final to win the 40+ team title at the National Masters Table Tennis Championships in Pune. Bandaru Kiranmai played a decisive role with two hard-fought victories, including the title-clinching win in the decider

Hyderabad: Telangana women delivered a stunning late surge to deny hosts Maharashtra a gold medal, clinching a dramatic 3-2 victory in the 40+ team final of the 32nd National Masters Table Tennis Championships at the Balewadi Indoor Stadium on Friday.

In a contest where fortunes fluctuated with gripping intensity, Telangana raced to a 2-0 lead before Maharashtra clawed back to level the tie, setting up a winner-takes-all decider.

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At the heart of Telangana’s triumph was Bandaru Kiranmai, whose composure under pressure proved decisive. Already tested in a gruelling opening rubber against Mayuri Dixit, where she edged through in five games, Kiranmai returned for the reverse singles with everything on the line. Facing Snehal Bhole Gulabrao in the decider, she once again showcased remarkable resilience, battling through another five-game thriller to seal the title.

Her twin victories, both hard-fought 3-2 wins, tilted the balance in Telangana’s favour and underscored her pivotal role in the final.

The match itself was a fitting showpiece, marked by momentum swings and long rallies. Sonali Asrani gave Telangana the early edge with a straight-game win over Snehal, before Kiranmai doubled the lead. Maharashtra responded through Winnie Carole and Mayuri Dixit, who brought the hosts back into contention and ignited hopes of a comeback.

But just as the pressure peaked, Telangana held their nerve to close out the contest. Racing to a commanding 7-2 lead in the decider, Kiranmai left little room for doubt as her opponent’s shoulders visibly dropped and the outcome was all but sealed.

Earlier in the semifinals, Maharashtra survived a stern challenge from IA&AD, scraping through 3-2, while Telangana overcame Chhattisgarh 3-1 to book their place in the final.

Women 40+: Final: Telangana bt Maharashtra 3-2 (Sonali Asrani bt Snehal Bhole 11-8, 12-10, 11-6; Bandaru Kiranmai bt Mayuri Dixit 10-12, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6; Nisha Inani lost to Winnie Carole 9-11, 7-11, 11-8, 6-11; Sonali lost to Mayuri 13-11, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11; Bandaru bt Snehal 4-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2).