Who after Achanta Sharath Kamal for India?

Achanta Sharath Kamal, a name synonymous, with Indian Table Tennis Bid Adieu to the Sport on Saturday.

The 42-year-old Paddler Boog from the 2025 WTT-Star media for his home crowd in Chennai after a 0-3 straight game loss for the young Snehit Suravajjula in the Lords Singles Tour of 16.

Sharath had been made his international debut for more than two decades for more than two decades in 2003. 13 Commonwealth Games -Medailles, including seven gold, four Asian C'Ships -Medailles The most difficult continental competition in sport, and five Olympic performances adorn are shimmering career.

Moreover, he was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2004, India's highest civilian Eer Padma Shri in 2019, and the highest sporting honor of the Land Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2022.

Sharath Kamal not only seamlessly took over the reins of Indian table tennis from his predecessor Chetan Baboor, a triple common-wealth games medal winner and double Asian cup medal winner, but also led to heights never-like.

He played mentor to the next generation of stars, accompanied people such as Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, the fast -rising Ankur Bhattacharjee, even during his match days.

Sharath even helped Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, his nearest domestic rival, to find a European club to train in 2015. This was only a few days after Sathiyan had defeated the veteran for the first time at the national championships.

While Sharath leaves a lasting inheritance, the question arises as to who is approaching the next one after him.

Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

While Sathiyan was taught for a long time to take over Sharath when he broke through for the first time, the 32-year-old from Chennai has difficulty meet expectations.

He has had his part of success at the highest level and breaks in the top 25 of the world ranking of Heren Singles, Sathiyan has struggled late.

Injuries and lack of form have seen him struggle in recent years. With an even younger generation that rises through the ranks, Sathiyan runs the risk of losing the pecking order.

Manav Thakkar

In the past year, Manav Thakkar has emerged the most consistent Indian paddler. A former Olympian in youth, Manav was ranked in the World No. 1 in the U18 and the U21 -Evering group categories in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

The now 24-year-old from Surat has shown a major improvement lately. He is currently the highest -ranked Indian in the world, after he first achieved the performance in his career earlier this month in his career.

Interesting that he is someone who has taken Sharath under his wings. He trains under coach Chris Pfeiffer, Sharath's trusted ally and a coach at the Veteran Academy.

Manav is still a long way of challenging the best in the world, but with a mussel head and the ability to train uncomfortable corners on the table, he could be the one to pay attention to.

Manush Shah

Another Paddler from Gujarat, Manush Shah is the ruling national champion for men.

The 24-year-old from Vadodara is one of the few left-handed padders in the country. He has shown a steady increase over the years and has combined well with Manav to form a powerful double pair for India.

Blessed with explosive power to dismiss the ball from his sights, Manush remains a top perspective for India to take over when Sharath's rein ends.

Snethit Suvarajjula

Snehit Suvarajuula was Sharat's Double Partner in his good tournament.

He also put an end to the international career of Sharath and beat him 3-0 in the men's Singles R16 at the WTT-Star-Medeeding Chennai.

Although the 24-year-old SNEHIT has often flown under the radar over the years, he seems to have an upward route.

SNEHIT is the only Indian who has defeated a top 30 player this season. He achieved the performance when he defeated Japanese world no. 29 YUFDA UDA in Chennai to set up an R16 collision with Sharath.

He also deserved the distinction that he was only the second peddler of the Indian gentlemen after Manav Thakkar to reach the quarterfinals of a WTT Star contemporary event when he defeated Sharath.

Payas Jain

Four years younger than Manav and Manush, Payas Jain van Delhi is an exciting young talent. He shot at the attention after he climbed to the rank of world no. 1 in the U17 category.

Although Payas has been struggling for the next two years, he seems to return to his best this season.

Training under coach Aman Balgu In addition to Manika Batra and Young Suhana Saini, Payas reached the semi -final at the National Championships 2025.

He defeated Sathiyan in the quarterfinals during that run. Payas repeated the same performance and took Sathiyan down for the home crowd of the latter at the WTT -Star -byking Chennai.

Ankur Bhattacharjee

The youngest of the game, Ankur Bhattacharjee is only 18. The young person from West Bengal has conquered Indian table tennis storm tennis with his aggressive game and fiery attitude on the table.

Although he often comes out as brash, the fact that Ankur is a serious talent that someone believes national coach Massimo Costantini that it is to pay attention.

Ankur had the world taken from his lost talent at the ultimate table tennis last year. He has three junior bronze medals at the Asian championships.

He returns Sharath Kamal as “God of Indian Table Tennis.”

When Sharath withdrew from the team event at the National Championships 2025 in January, it was Ankur who was set up in the PSPB team to replace the veteran. The teenager led PSPB to a title win.

Sharath was a late bloomer due to his own admission. He was 20 when he first represented India. However, this harvest of rising stars has already left a stamp at a much younger age.

Filling in the void that Sharath leaves behind will not be easy, but India -Table Tennis has a strong harvest of players to pin their hope.