After Asiad row, Manika set to return to domestic circuit after four years amid ranking uncertainty

NEW DELHI: Four years after her last appearance in a domestic tournament, India’s leading paddler Manika Batra is set to return to the national circuit, with the 31-year-old entering the National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in Panchkula, Haryana, scheduled from Octo 6 to 13.TOI has learnt that Manika has officially submitted her entry for the tournament, which will mark her first domestic appearance since the Senior Nationals in Shillong in April 2022. Batra had then lost to Ayhika Mukherjee in the pre-quarterfinals.Her return assumes added significance after her omission from India’s main squad for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Manika, who was ranked world No. 51 and was India’s second-highest ranked women’s player at the time, was named among the reserves after her absence from domestic competitions meant she did not have the national ranking points required under the selection criteria.Manika had questioned the selection process following her omission and sought clarity from the authorities, including the sports ministry and Indian Olympic Association. Her decision to re-enter the domestic circuit now comes as the sport looks towards the next Olympic qualification cycle and the 2028 Los Angeles Games.However, the Panchkula tournament is facing an unusual situation of its own. The newly appointed ad-hoc committee overseeing table tennis has withdrawn official ranking points from upcoming National Ranking tournaments following the suspension of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Aug12, it has been learnt.The development has created uncertainty for players who had planned their domestic schedules around the ranking events. Panchkula has attracted more than 2,800 entries, including several established international players such as Sreeja Akula, Diya Chitale, Syndrela Das, Payas Jain, Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, Ankur Bhattacharya, G Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai.For many players, the issue is particularly relevant as the domestic calendar feeds into selection and ranking considerations. The withdrawal of ranking points means the Panchkula event will not carry the same significance for players seeking to improve their national standings.International player Ankur Bhattacharya said the change had come after players had already invested considerable time and resources in preparation.“We train day in and day out to perform at these national rankings. Taking away ranking points right before the tournament makes all our hard work, intense preparation, and severe financial investments meaningless. It feels like our careers are being toyed with,” he said.Youth player Suhana Saini also said the uncertainty had made planning difficult.“This decision is a massive setback for all players, especially those trying to improve their standings before the international cycles. We are completely stranded and cannot plan our schedule. It is incredibly demotivating for the entire player community,” she said.Members of the table tennis fraternity have also sought clarity on the timing of the decision, coming nearly two months after the TTFI suspension.With the 2027 Olympic qualification cycle approaching and a packed international calendar ahead, including the Asian Championship, WTT Feeder Chennai, ITTF Mixed Team World Cup and World Youth Championship, players are keen for greater certainty over the domestic pathway.For Manika, meanwhile, Panchkula represents a return to the domestic circuit, one that could assume importance as she looks ahead to the next phase of her international career.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.