Sports
CWG 2018: Sharath-led TT squad leaves for Gold Coast
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) A nine-member Indian table tennis squad, led by triple-gold medallist Achanta Sharath Kamal, coaches Massimo Costantini and Soumyadeep Roy along with two support staff (a masseur and physio) left on Friday morning for Gold Coast to participate in the Commonwealth Games, beginning on April 4.
The team members, after arriving from their respective hometowns, headed straight to Rio Restaurant in Rajouri Garden where the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) hosted a send-off dinner in honour of the players, coaches and the support staff.
The team members were presented bouquets and Secretary General M.P. Singh wished them well for the Games.
Facing allegations of sexual assault, Soumyajit Ghosh was not part of the squad as he is provisionally suspended by the TTFI.
Speaking on behalf of the players, Sharath expressed confidence and said that all players were positive about India’s performance.
“We realise the importance of the Games and equally the expectations of millions of Indians. Fortunately, we have the best possible team in both sections and I am sure we will not disappoint you as we expect to have a good harvest of medals at Gold Coast,” Sharath said.
Coach Massimo was equally cheerful and said India had the best chance this time.
“I am expecting the teams to win at least four medals. All players are in good shape which is an indication of the level of preparation. I am positive and so are the team members,” he said.
The squad:
Men: Achanta Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Aanthony Amalraj, Harmeet Desai
Women: Manika Batra, Mouma Das, Madhurika Patkar, Pooja Sahasrabuddhe, Suthirta Mukherjee.
Coaches: Massimo Costantini and Soumyadeep Roy.
Support staff: Amarjit Singh (masseur) and Kishore Dey (physio).
–IANS
dm/ajb/bg
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.
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