Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 19: India's leading table tennis player Manika Batra has raised concerns over the transparency and consistency of the selection process after being excluded from the country's main squad for the 2026 Asian Games.
The 31-year-old paddler, among India's most accomplished table tennis players, was named only among the reserves along with Swastika Ghosh for the continental showpiece event scheduled to be held in Nagoya and Aichi, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Batra described her omission as "deeply disheartening" and said she had not received a clear explanation for the decision.
"My exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is deeply disheartening, not only because of the outcome, but because of the manner in which the selection criteria appear to have been interpreted and applied. No specific reason has been communicated to me," she said.
Batra's exclusion is understood to be linked to her absence from the current domestic rankings, having missed national competitions due to international commitments.
The former Commonwealth Games gold medallist questioned the application of the selection policy introduced in 2023, under which 50 per cent weightage is given to national rankings, 40 per cent to world rankings and 10 per cent is left to the discretion of the selection committee.
"If discretion forms even a small part of the process, then the manner in which it is applied must be transparent, uniform and clearly recorded. Any variation in its application naturally raises questions of fairness and equal treatment," she said.
Batra has sought a detailed explanation from the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and appealed to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to examine the matter.
Currently ranked World No. 51, Batra is India's second-highest ranked women's singles player behind Sreeja Akula, who is ranked No. 45 in the world.
The 2018 Asian Games mixed doubles bronze medallist argued that years of international success should not be overshadowed solely by domestic rankings.
"I find it difficult to understand how this alone becomes a decisive factor outweighing long-standing performance at the highest level," she said.
She also pointed out that world rankings fluctuate regularly under the rolling points system and may not always accurately reflect a player's current form.
Earlier in the day, the TTFI defended its selection process, stating that the squad had been chosen based on both national and international rankings.
"The selection process ensured that India's highest-ranked and most consistent performers earned the opportunity to represent the country," the federation said.
The controversy has sparked debate within Indian table tennis circles, with attention now turning to whether the federation will provide further clarification regarding the selection criteria and its implementation.