My team (RP-SG Mavericks Kolkata) was on a high after we beat Puneri Paltan 11-4 in our second encounter in the Ultimate Table Tennis.
To be honest, we did not have any particular strategy for this match; our goal was clear in our minds though: win each and every point.
It worked out well as we went in with a positive mindset, with the desire to win. We were boosted by superb shows in the first two matches by my doubles partner Matilda Ekholm and then Benedikt Duda. This is precisely what we had been hoping for.
The two Europeans displayed great skill and mental fortitude to make it 5-1 in our favour; I guess it was something that blew our opponents, Puneri Paltan, away.
Matilda’s fixture against Sabine Winter was crucial for us as the Germany can be a tricky customer. But I guess the turning point was the second match where Duda picked up 2 points. Duda was up against seasoned paddler Chuang Chih-Yuan, from Chinese Taipei, and we would have been happy with even 1 point against the World No. 28.
The Mixed Doubles fixture that followed, with me partnering Matilda, was a close contest, with the experienced duo of Harmeet Desai and Winter playing like champions.
But we played the big points better, held our nerves when under pressure, and sealed it 2-1, giving us a 7-2 win.
I think the Puneri Paltans must have felt the heat at that stage, realising that it was going to be very difficult to wipe out such a big deficit.
The victory gave me the much required boost while facing Harmeet in our Men’s Singles. There were many tense moments but I got the better of him, beating him 2-1. It was a really close encounter, with two sets being decided on Golden Points.
On a personal level, I am very happy that I could register 4 points for my team as each point matters in this format of the league.
For our next fixture against U Mumba, we have a few thoughts on how to counter them. We will anyway try and come back with a performance similar to the one we displayed against Paltan.
Both of us are in a similar position on the points table, having won one game each. Playing against fierce opponents like Kirill Gerassimenko, Doo Hoi Kem, Manav Thakkar and Sutirtha Mukherjee is going to be tough but fun. We are looking forward to that challenge on Thursday.
-- Sanil Shetty
(Sanil Shetty plays for RP-SG Mavericks Kolkata in UTT) (BVK Sports and Media)
