Fresh from winning a silver in doubles and a bronze in singles at the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Thailand, teenage paddler Syndrela Das arrived at the Kolkata airport on Sunday evening without any fanfare and media attention. She was received at the airport by her coach Soumyadeep Roy and the students who train in the same academy. The 16-year-old table tennis player is already focused on bigger goals. It has been an incredible last few months for Syndrela, not only being picked as the youngest member in the Indian women’s squad for the 2026 Asian Games but also attracting a bid of Rs 17 lakh for the upcoming Ultimate Table Tennis League in Goa. She reflected on her recent success, the lessons she learned at the Asian Youth TT, and her ambitions for the future in a freewheeling chat with RevSportz. Excerpts:
How disappointing was it to not win the doubles gold at the Asian Youth TT in Thailand?
Syndrela Das: Yes, it was a bit heartbreaking because we were leading 2-1 and were just one game away from winning the gold. But we have to give credit to the Japanese pair — they played extraordinarily well. After we went 2-1 up, they raised their level and were simply fantastic. We gave our best and played some long rallies, but they always seemed to have an answer. It’s okay that we couldn’t win this time. Looking back, perhaps we could have approached the match differently. It was also the first time that pair had played together, so we didn’t know much about their style. However, we knew they were a strong combination because they had come back from 0-2 down and 5-8 behind against the Chinese pair in the semi-finals to win the match. We knew they were capable of making a comeback at any stage.
At the Asian Youth Championships, what were your biggest takeaways from facing Chinese and Japanese players?
Syndrela Das: In the pre-quarterfinals, I played against China’s Yao Ruixuan, who was the Under-15 world champion. Then, in the quarterfinals, I faced Japan’s Yuna OJio. She is known for her unique grip, something that is rarely seen in table tennis. She has her own distinctive style of playing. She also competed closely with Miwa Harimoto. While Miwa has moved on to the senior circuit, Yuna is still competing in the junior category. It was a great learning experience to play against such players.
How are you planning to prepare for the Asian Games 2026?
Syndrela Das: First, I’ll be going to Goa to play in the Ultimate Table Tennis League. It will be a great opportunity to compete and practise with players from different countries, and that exposure will help improve my match play. After that, I’ll compete in the Europe Youth Commonwealth Championships, followed by the Europe Smash and Europe Youth Smash tournaments. Then I’ll play in a National Ranking Tournament in India before heading to the Asian Games.
What was your reaction when you first heard about being selected for the Asian Games squad?
Syndrela Das: I was super happy. I was overwhelmed with emotions and immediately called my mother to tell her that I had been selected. First of all, I have to thank my parents. Without them, I probably would never have taken up table tennis.
The selection of Manika Batra as a reserve in Asian Games squad sparked plenty of discussion. Does that create any additional pressure for you?
Syndrela Das: No, I don’t think it affects me. Of course, we will miss Manika Didi in the team because she is such an experienced player. But instead of feeling pressured, it motivates us to work even harder and fight for her as well. If we can win a medal, it will be a very special achievement. My focus is simply on giving my best.
You were picked by Dempo Goa Challengers for Rs 17 lakh after a three-way bidding battle in the UTT auction — what was that moment like for you and your family?
Syndrela Das: Yes, I was very excited. I was in London that day for training, and we were watching the auction live. I was eager to see which team I would represent. When Goa picked me, I was really happy because I would get to play in front of the home crowd. Since it’s my first season in UTT, playing in Goa will be a wonderful experience. I’m really excited to interact with Bernadette Szőcs and pick her brains during the upcoming UTT.
You will be sharing the court with some of the biggest names in the sport in the upcoming UTT league. How important will that exposure be for your confidence and development?
Syndrela Das: In my team, I have international players like Bernadette Szocs and Álvaro Robles. I’m really looking forward to practicing with them and learning from my teammates. We’ll also get to play matches against players from different countries. It’s a great opportunity because both European and Asian players will be part of UTT. I can play against anyone depending on the team’s strategy, and every match will teach me something new. The format itself is different because every tie consists of only three games. There’s a different kind of pressure because every single point matters. It teaches you to fight for each point and stay focused throughout. I think it will be a great challenge and an important learning experience for me.
Can you talk about the role of national coaches Massimo Costantini and Mamata Prabhu in your journey so far?
Syndrela Das: Both of them travel with us for the youth and senior teams. Massimo sir, our head coach, is deeply involved in our training. Even during matches, he constantly motivates us, works on our technique and introduces new aspects to our game at every tournament. There’s always something new to learn from him. Mamata ma’am has also been a constant source of support.
How did you start growing an interest in table tennis?
Syndrela Das: I actually started playing the sport just as a hobby. Alongside table tennis, I also did swimming, dancing, singing and drawing. One day, my local club organised a mixed tournament for boys and girls, and I won it. In the final, I defeated a boy. I was so happy after receiving the medal and trophy. They were big and shiny, and I remember thinking, ‘I want more of these’. After that, I began playing more local club tournaments and kept winning. Then I entered a Bengal ranking tournament for the first time and finished with a silver medal. Even though I lost in the final, I had defeated several strong players along the way. That made me enjoy the sport even more. In 2018, I started training professionally. That same year, I went to watch Ultimate Table Tennis in Kolkata and got to know about Soumyadeep Sir (Soumyadeep Roy) and Poulami Maam’s (Poulami Ghatak) academy in Jadavpur, which was just five to seven minutes from my house. I joined the academy and began my professional journey there.
With expectations growing after your recent success, do you feel any added pressure?
Syndrela Das: There will always be expectations, but I’m happy that so many people believe in me. That motivates me to become even better. I actually enjoy that feeling because pressure is a privilege. I love playing table tennis, so even if there is pressure, I don’t mind it at all.
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