India vs China Table Tennis at Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights: India's men's team loses to China, Achanta Sharath Kamal makes his final appearance at the Olympics

Domination from Team China as the campaign for the Indian Male paddlers ends at this Ro-16 stage. They were up against the world-beaters and came into this as overwhelming underdogs as anyone would do against the might of China.
The match started with the duo of Thakkar/Desai going up against Ma/Wang. The doubles pair from India were completely outplayed by the Chinese and even though the scoreline improved in each game for the Indians, they were no match.
Then it was the turn of Achanta Sharath Kamal who was up against the gold-medal winner from the Men's singles competition, Fan Zhendong. The Indian veteran made a superb start by talking the first game and it looked like he had something in store in his last hurrah. But, Zhendong did what was expected of him and came back to win the next three games consecutively.
The pressure was now entirely on Manav Thakkar who was up against WR-1 Wang Chuqin in a do-or-die encounter. The thin-framed man from India put up a spectacular fight against Chuqin but he was denied everytime he took the lead. Chuqin showed his class at the crunch moments and ended up winning in straight games giving the tie 3-0 to China.

This also marks the end of an illustrious career of Achanta Sharath Kamal. The veteran from from Chennai has announced his retirement as he ends his 21-year long career in which he represented India in 5 Olympics games consecutively. While he might have not had the best of campaigns here, he has been a torchbearer for Indian Table Tennis and has paved a way for numerous paddlers from India to rise to the big stage.

Final Scores

India 0 - 3 China
Thakkar/Desai lost to Ma/Wang [2-11, 3-11, 7-11]
Achanta Sharath Kamal lost to Fan Zhendong [11-9, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5]
Manav Thakkar lost to Wang Chuqin [9-11, 6-11, 9-11]

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 9 - 11 Wang [Game Score 0 - 3] [Match Score: India 0 - 3 China]

CHINA WIN! Wang deployed another flurry of forehands and pushed Thakkar back. Thakkar seemed composed as he kept on returning with the backhand, deploying side spin as well. Though, in the end, World Number One proved to be too good. He has won this in three straight games and China have won the tie in three straight matches.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 9 - 10 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

CHINA HAVE MATCH POINT! Backhand return that hit the edge of the table and spun away from Thakkar.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 9 - 9 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

THAKKAR COMES BACK AGAIN! The scores are level and Thakkar has to serve now.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 8 - 9 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

Thakkar comes back!! But as I type this, he makes an unforced error and hits the net.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 7 - 8 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

TOO GOOD FROM WANG!! He twists quickly and drags it cross-court from the forehand corner at brisk pace.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 7 - 6 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

A couple of unforced errors from Thakkar have given Wang the momentum. To break it, Thakkar calls for a timeout.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 7 - 4 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

WANG COMES BACK! Long shots which pushed Thakkar back, he ended up sending the ball awry and below the table.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 6 - 3 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

SENSATIONAL!!! The ball almost stopped after hitting the net, yet he covered it. And then chopped it from the deep to catch the Chinese paddler off-guard.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 2 - 3 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

UNFORCED ERROR!!! Thakkar got in the right position by moving a bit squarer to the backhand corner. But he ended up lobbing it outside the table.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 1 - 2 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

WANG LOSES CONTROL! Bit of top spin deployed by the Indian paddler. Wang hits it with the top edge and the ball flies to land outside the table.

Match 3, Game 3: Thakkar 1 - 1 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

THAKKAR FIGHTS!! He beats the Chinese with a powerful forehand towards the backhand corner. The lefty could not fetch it.

Much more clinical from the World Number 1, Chuqin, in the second game as he takes it 11-6. Thakkar has been trying his best but he has fell short against the Chinese paddler. The forehand of Chuqin has been his strength and given the fact that he is a southpaw it is causing more trouble to Thakkar. We could well be heading into the final game of the fixture, can Thakkar stretch it further?

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 6 - 11 Wang [Game Score 0 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

PERSISTENCE! The Chinese kept on deploying powerful forehands. Thakkar kept on responding but ended up loosing control towards the fag end of the rally.

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 6 - 8 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

NOW THAKKAR RESPONDS WITH A FOREHAND! This one was sent powerfully to the backhand corner. Wang could not control it and drove it into the net.

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 5 - 7 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

THE FOREHAND! Powerful return from Wang which makes Thakkar lose control. And almost the action replay of it in the next point unfolds as I type this.

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 4 - 4 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

Thakkar tires to use the angle, but Wang opens his stance and expands his reach. He fetches it from the deep forehand corner and Thakkar is caught off-guard.

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 2 - 2 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

GOOD BLOCKS FROM THAKKAR! But as soon as he tries to force the issue, he ends up missing the table.

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 2 - 1 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

THAKKAR MAKES AN ERROR! Tries the drop shot but hits the net.

Match 3, Game 2: Thakkar 1 - 0 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

ERROR FROM WANG!! He gets in the perfect position for a forehand return but somehow ends up missing it.

Manav Thakkar put up a brilliant fight and made Chuqin fret. Thakkar was 3-8 down before he rattled up 6 consecutive points to put immense pressure on the Chinese paddler. But then, Chuqin responded with 3 straight points and took the first game away from the Indian to take a 1-0 lead. But, Thakkar would know that there were enough instances in the first game to suggest that he can get under the skin of Chuqin. Can he put an entire game together?

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 9 - 11 Wang [Game Score 0 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

Wang takes the game! He picks up the penultimate point with a rally of long shots that Thakkar tried to return with the backhand. A similar point sealed the deal for the World No.1

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 9 - 9 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

GETS BEATEN!! A speedy return to the backhand corner. Thakkar cannot reach it.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 9 - 8 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

THAKKAR IN THE LEAD! Wang hits this one into the net. Indian team is delighted.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 7 - 8 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

WANG GETS CARRIED AWAY! Thakkar was pushed back. But he kept at it. In the end, he lobbed a high ball. Wang hopped on his toes and deployed a powerful cross-court forehand. Missed the table.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 4 - 8 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

AND HE MAKES AN ERROR! Thakkar lets it go as he realises that the lob is going to miss the edge of the table. He gets a point.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 3 - 8 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

Once again, short rallies and the Chinese is making it look easy. He is quick, deploying spin and making Thakkar look clueless.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 3 - 5 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

UNFORCED ERRORS! Wang gets carried away. He ends up missing the table on the forehand smash and Thakkar gets the point.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 1 - 5 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

WANG IS TOO GOOD! Makes Thakkar go from one end to the other. Thakkar reaches for the forehand corner but cannot fetch it.

Match 3, Game 1: Thakkar 1 - 2 Wang [Game Score 0 - 0] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

China take the first two points but then. Thakkar comes back with a powerful forehand smashed at the left-hander's body.

Up next is Manav Thakkar against Wang Chuqin. It is a must-win match for India, we are all set.

Fan Zhendong takes the next three games against Sharath Kamal after going down in the first one as China take a 2-0 lead in the 5-match tie. Sharath Kamal was brilliant to start off and almost took the Chinese paddler by surprise winning the first game 11-9. But, Zhendong was certainly not going to be fazed by that, the man was 0-1 down in the gold medal match before he claimed the next 4 games to win the gold medal. He displayed all his class and got better as the game progressed getting a good measure of the Indian veteran who might have just played his last match at the Olympics.

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 4 - 11 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 3] [Match Score: India 0 - 2 China]

BUT ZHENDONG COMES BACK!!! He takes the game and the match as well. Kamal raises his hand and waves to the crowd as he goes back. Was this the last time we saw him at the Olympic stage?

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 4 - 10 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! Powerful backhand return. It is almost a dead shot. Goes straight and the Chinese paddler cannot fetch it.

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 3 - 8 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

Kamal covered it well. The ball hit the net as Zhendong returned, but Kamal was still able to send it back. However, he couldn't get in position for the next return that came at a brisk pace.

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 2 - 6 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

Kamal chops it to fetch from the deep forehand corner, but Zhendong is smart. He pushes it to the other end and Kamal cannot reach it in the end.

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 2 - 4 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

LONG RALLY!! Kamal steps back and deploys a solid cross-court punch with the backhand this time.

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 1 - 3 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

OH THE NET!! Kamal crouched and smacked this with the forehand. But the ball hit the middle of the net.

Match 2, Game 4: Kamal 1 - 0 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

BACKHAND TO THE RESCUE!! The one was hit towards Zhendong's forehand, but perhaps the spin did not allow the Chinese to control it.

Good fight from Sharath Kamal again but the Chinese paddler makes it 2-1 in his favor winning consecutive games. Like the second game, it was neck-and-neck to start off the third one but Zhendong took the lead as things moved forward and kept piling on the pressure on the Indian veteran. This is now do-or-die territory for Sharath Kamal.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 7 - 11 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 2] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

TRIES TO DO THE SAME BUT MISCUES!! Powerful forehand fetched from the corner, ends up hitting the net and lobs up to land outside the table.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 7 - 10 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

KAMAL STRIKES BACK! He is now keeping it simple. Powerful forehands is the way to go.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 5 - 9 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

BEATEN BY PACE AGAIN!!! Zhendong deploys topspin with the backhand and also generates speed, Kamal ends up hitting the top edge of the paddle.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 5 - 7 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

Sharath Kamal calls for a timeout. The Indian coach can be seen talking about side spin.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 5 - 6 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

Sharath picks three consecutive points, but then the Chinese comes back to take the lead. This is an enthralling contest unfolding in front of our eyes.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 2 - 4 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

FLURRY OF FOREHANDS!! The Chinese paddler is persistent with those shots and Kamal keeps on blocking with the backhand. In the end, he ends up losing control and Zhendong picks the point.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 2 - 3 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

KAMAL GETS BACK!!! This one was lobbed with the backhand. But Zhendong made an error while returning as he missed the table.

Match 2, Game 3: Kamal 1 - 1 Zhendong [Game Score 1 - 1] [Match Score: India 0 - 1 China]

THE BACK AND FORTH CONTEST CONTINUES!!! 1-1 at the start of the next game. It is a pulsating match.