Manika Batra, the top-ranked women's paddler in India, lost in the Round of 64 in the 2025 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, which was a sad early departure. The 17-year-old South Korean sensation Park Gahyeon startled the Indian star with a 4-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8) triumph, handing Batra, who was seeded 22nd, a straight-game loss.
This outcome prolongs Manika's lackluster record at the World Championships in women's singles and puts a stop to her campaign at the first hurdle. Manika has failed to create a strong impression in the Worlds, even though she is one of India's most well-known and promoted athletes.
- 2017: Round of 64
- 2019: Round of 64
- 2021: Round of 128
- 2023: Round of 32 (Best)
- 2025: Round of 64
Her better performance in 2023, when she advanced to the Round of 32, raised hopes of a potential breakthrough this year, but this most recent loss is a serious setback. On her debut at the World Championships, however, Park Gahyeon, who was unseeded and only 17 years old, proved to be too nimble and bold. Batra had little opportunity to get into rhythm because of her forceful yet calm style of play.
The South Korean teen's victory was more than just defeating a player ranked in the top 25; it was a declaration. Park's triumph demonstrated the breadth of skill in the Korean talent pool and reaffirmed the speed at which the women's table tennis scene is developing worldwide.
In the meantime, Batra's defeat rekindles an old debate over India's results in singles competitions throughout the world. Although she receives a lot of attention and media attention, her consistency in big tournaments is still a cause for worry.
India has performed better in doubles competitions at the World Championships than in individual singles. The top Indian outcomes over the years are shown here:
Best Indian Performances at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships
Men’s Singles:
- R32 – Sharath Kamal (2009, 2015, 2017)
- R32 – Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (2019, 2021)
Women’s Singles:
- R32 – Manika Batra (2023)
Men’s Doubles:
- R16 – Sharath Kamal / Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (2023)
Women’s Doubles:
- Quarterfinals – Mouma Das / Manika Batra (2017)
- Quarterfinals – Manika Batra / Archana Kamath (2021)
Mixed Doubles:
- Quarterfinals – Sathiyan Gnanasekaran / Manika Batra (2021)
Although Manika's mixed and women's doubles performances have produced impressive outcomes in the past, both fans and pundits are still concerned about her inability to maintain that momentum in singles.
Young paddlers like Sreeja Akula and Diya Capitale will be actively monitored to see whether they can step up in future competitions, while India continues to wait for a legitimate singles competitor on the international scene. As Batra pursues her career in Indian table tennis, the path ahead will need reflection, adaptation, and maybe a reevaluation of expectations.
