India had lost the opening doubles rubber in straight games — Surat duo Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar were no match for Wang Chuqin and the great Ma Long — and it was the perfect stage for Sharath to show his class, to show that there was a reason his international career has spanned more than two decades.

And he didn’t disappoint.

He used everything in his rich and vast table tennis repertoire to put Fan under the pump. Being significantly taller, he was able to match the Chinese’s forehand attack with his thunderous backhand. There were down-the-line backhand taps that were winners and when the opportunity arose, he went for his thunderous forehand topspin across the table. Such was his confidence.

It was this confidence that allowed him to stun Fan to win the first game 11-9.

Confidence comes from preparation and Sharath had done everything he could to train for these games. India confirmed their Olympic spot after the ITTF World Team Championships back in February, and Sharath told The Indian Express last month that he had planned out the five months in the lead-up to the Olympics meticulously.

“Firstly, I had to lose weight. I had to get in shape. This was going to be the biggest test of my career and India’s best chance as it was the first time we have qualified as a team. I’ve always said we’re stronger as a team so I’m looking forward to it,” Sharath, who celebrated his 42nd birthday just before the Olympics, said.

Paris: Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar and Sharath Kamal of India react during the Men Team Round of 16 Match between China and India of the Table Tennis competitions in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, at The South Paris Arena in Paris, France, 06 August 2024. (EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO VIA PTI)

“Age is not on my side, but I know that if I’m fit, I have a good chance, and India have a good chance. I not only prepared physically but also did a lot of mental work, a lot of meditation. All that has helped,” says Sharath, who was named India’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the Paris Games.

Stellar effort

His work rate did show. To match someone who’s among the very best in the world wasn’t going to be easy, but Sharath was up to the task. Unfortunately for him, so was Fan.

One of the great aspects about Sharath is that he never gives up. Not even when he was 4-9 down in the second game. Three straight points to 7-9 and China were sweating. They knew Sharath was on song, and decided to break his momentum by taking a timeout. Fan came back to wrap up the game with ease, and from then on, one knew that the Chinese had elevated his game. Sharath had forced him to.

With 10-time national champion Sharath, who first played in the Olympics at Athens 2004, losing his match 3-1, one felt it was curtains for India. Up next was Manav Thakkar against Chuqin.

The World No.1 had been beaten in the men’s singles and Thakkar would’ve felt that he had an outside chance. And in the first game itself, he showed that he’s capable. Down 3-8, he took 4 straight points to take it to 7-8 which forced Chuqin to take a timeout. After the break, Manav made it 9-9 but Chuqin managed to eke out the game.

Manav tried variations in the second game and attacked Chuqin’s backhand which proved successful on occasions but the difference in level was quite evident. Chuqin was able to elevate his game when required and just took the match away from the 24-year-old.

India may have been dumped out of this Olympics, but they’ve plenty of promise. Sharath may have played his last Olympics, but looking at the way Manav fought against a World No.1, he would know that Indian table tennis is in safe hands. The younger generation is ready and waiting, with Sharath ready to take on a mentor’s role.