All posts tagged: Batra

‘Exhausted’ Manika Batra accuses TTFI of breaching its own constitution in Asian Games selection rown

‘Exhausted’ Manika Batra accuses TTFI of breaching its own constitution in Asian Games selection rown

Published by Webster

3 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026 01:04 PM IST Table tennis star Manika Batra has said that the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) violated its own rules while selecting the Indian squad for the 2026 Asian Games but indicated that she won’t be pursuing the matter any more for now. Batra, who had won bronze at the 2018 Asian Games and is a triple gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, was named only as a reserve for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and she had earlier asked for an explanation from the TTFI for her omission from the main squad. She said in a statement on Friday that she was told by the TTFI that a nine-member selection committee had selected the Indian squad for the Asiad. “TTFI, in its response to me, has stated that the entire selection process was conducted strictly in accordance with the rules. However, the documents available with me show that a 9-member Selection Committee decided the Asian Games team, while Article 24(C)(j) of the TTFI Constitution states that no …

Asian Games row: Manika Batra threatens legal action, seeks PM intervention | Sports News

Asian Games row: Manika Batra threatens legal action, seeks PM intervention | Sports News

Published by Webster

India’s leading table tennis player Manika Batra has intensified her challenge to her exclusion from the Asian Games squad, issuing a strongly-worded statement demanding answers from the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and warning that she could pursue legal action if a satisfactory explanation is not provided. Batra also said she has sought Prime Minister Narendra’s intervention. Batra, who was named only as a reserve for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, insisted that she was not seeking a place in the team or asking for the decision to be reversed. “Let me state this clearly. I am not asking to be selected. I am not asking anyone to overturn the decision. I am asking for answers,” Batra said. The former Asian Games medallist questioned the basis on which players were evaluated, pointing out that she is currently ranked World No. 51 and that international rankings operate on a rolling points system. She asked what period had been considered during the selection process and whether a marginal drop outside the world’s top 50 was enough to …

After Manika Batra, equestrian Anush Agarwalla questions exclusion from Asian Games squad

After Manika Batra, equestrian Anush Agarwalla questions exclusion from Asian Games squad

Published by Webster

A day after Manika Batra raised questions about her exclusion from the Indian table tennis team for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, equestrian Anush Agarwalla followed the suit on Friday. Agarwalla, who had clinched an individual dressage bronze and a historic team dressage gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games three years back, was named among the reserves much like Batra as the Equestrian Federation of India announced the Indian contingent. “Today, I stand as India’s No. 1 ranked dressage rider, Asia’s No. 2 ranked rider, and World No. 14 in the FEI 1* Rankings. I have also achieved the highest PSG scores among all Indian athletes this year. That is why being named a reserve for the upcoming Asian Games comes as a surprise and raises important questions about the criteria being applied in athlete selection,” Agarwalla wrote in a social media post. The 26-year-old from Kolkata urged for transparency in the selection process. “While I respect the selection process and the athletes chosen to represent India, I believe every athlete deserves clarity on how …

Manika Batra questions her exclusion from Asian Games 2026 Table Tennis squad

Manika Batra questions her exclusion from Asian Games 2026 Table Tennis squad

Published by Webster

4 min readJun 19, 2026 07:40 AM IST Ace Indian paddler Manika Batra has raised concerns about the selection of the Table Tennis squad for the Asian Games on Thursday. Manika was excluded from the squad and was named in reserves alongwith Swastika Ghosh. She was excluded due to her absence from domestic events because of which she does not feature in the Table Tennis Federation of India rankings. “My exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is deeply disheartening, not only because of the outcome, but because of the manner in which the selection criteria appear to have been interpreted and applied. No specific reason has been communicated to me,” Manika said in a statement. Earlier in the day, the TTFI said it selects players based on international and national rankings. “The selection process ensured that India’s highest-ranked and most consistent performers earned the opportunity to represent the country at Asia’s biggest multi-sport event,” said TTFI. As per the selection policy drafted in 2023, 50 percent weightage is given to national rankings, 40 percent …

“Exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is disheartening”: Manika Batra

“Exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is disheartening”: Manika Batra

Published by Webster

India’s leading table tennis player Manika Batra has questioned the process behind her exclusion from the main squad for the 2026 Asian Games, calling for greater transparency and consistency in the application of selection criteria. The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) on Thursday named Manika among the reserve players for the continental showpiece despite her being India’s second-highest ranked women’s singles player in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. In a detailed statement issued after the squad announcement, Manika expressed disappointment over both the decision and the manner in which it was reached. “My exclusion from the Asian Games 2026 squad is deeply disheartening, not only because of the outcome, but because of the manner in which the selection criteria appear to have been interpreted and applied. No specific reason has been communicated to me,” she said. The former Commonwealth Games champion also appealed to the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association to review the matter. “I respectfully request the Hon’ble Sports Minister and the leadership of the Indian Olympic Association …

Manika Batra left out of India’s Asian Games Table Tennis main squad, Ayhika Mukherjee misses out

Manika Batra left out of India’s Asian Games Table Tennis main squad, Ayhika Mukherjee misses out

Published by Webster

India’s most decorated women’s table tennis player, Manika Batra, has been left out of the main squad for the 2026 Asian Games after failing to satisfy the selection criteria laid down by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). The 30-year-old, who won a historic mixed doubles bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games and has multiple Commonwealth Games medals to her name, was named among the reserve players for the continental event scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. According to TTFI, selections were made based on a policy introduced in 2023, which allocates 50 per cent weightage to national rankings, 40 per cent to world rankings and the remaining 10 per cent to the discretion of the selection committee. Despite being India’s second-highest ranked women’s player at World No. 51, behind Sreeja Akula at No. 45, Manika’s absence from domestic tournaments meant she did not feature prominently in the national rankings, affecting her overall selection score. Sreeja Akula to lead Women’s Squad Sreeja Akula headlines the women’s squad, which also …

Cannes 2026: Tara Sutaria serves old-Hollywood glamour; Pooja Batra dazzles in metallic gown | Bollywood News

Cannes 2026: Tara Sutaria serves old-Hollywood glamour; Pooja Batra dazzles in metallic gown | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

4 min readNew DelhiMay 14, 2026 02:38 PM IST Tara Sutaria and Pooja Batra brought glamour, drama and vintage fashion energy to the Cannes Film Festival 2026 as both actors made striking appearances on the French Riviera. While Tara channelled old-Hollywood sophistication in a monochrome Helsa gown ahead of her big Cannes moment, Pooja turned heads on the red carpet in a shimmering metallic ensemble by Anne Barge. Tara Sutaria’s first look at Cannes 2026 Tara officially kicked off her Cannes 2026 journey by sharing a series of pictures from her first day at the prestigious festival. Sharing the photos, Tara wrote, “Thrilled to be invited to Festival de Cannes and to be honoured at the Red Sea Film Foundation’s Women in Cinema Gala. Tomorrow eve is a big moment! Stay tuned.. Until then, some moments from day one..” For her first Cannes look, Tara embraced timeless monochrome elegance in a dramatic black-and-white gown from Helsa. The strapless gown featured a structured corset-style bodice with a sharp white neckline detail. Fitted at the waist, the …

Pooja Batra says she paved way for tall actors like Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon: ‘I had to do splits for heroes’

Pooja Batra says she paved way for tall actors like Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon: ‘I had to do splits for heroes’

Published by Parlour News

Bollywood actor and former Miss India Pooja Batra recently reflected on her experiences in the film industry and spoke about the challenges she faced because of her height. Recalling the early years of her career, Pooja revealed that she was often asked to perform splits in front of the camera to appear shorter than her male co-stars. She added that the struggles she went through eventually helped pave the way for taller actors like Deepika Padukone and Kriti Sanon to be accepted more comfortably in Bollywood. Pooja Batra says Deepika Padukone and Kriti Sanon should thank her. Pooja Batra recalls losing movies because of her height Pooja started her career as a model and later shifted to acting in Bollywood films. Recalling the transition, she told Harper’s Bazaar India, “It was tough. I remember I was told by Sangeeta Bijlani, ‘You don’t have a chance in the movies because you’re too tall.’ She’s my idol. She’s beautiful, and she’s a model too. I gave every role I got my best even though the heroes got …

Pooja Batra forced to do splits in front of camera to make insecure heroes look taller: ‘I lost films due to my height’ | Bollywood News

Pooja Batra forced to do splits in front of camera to make insecure heroes look taller: ‘I lost films due to my height’ | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

Sangeeta Bijlani, Pooja Batra, Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone — what’s common between the three of them? Yes, they’re all former models who became leading Hindi film actors. Another commonality is the height — they were all extremely tall women in an industry where most of their male co-stars were short, but with a rather tall ego that their leading ladies had to look shorter than them. “It was tough. I remember I was told by Sangeeta Bijlani, ‘You don’t have a chance in the movies because you’re too tall,’” recalled Pooja Batra. Sangeeta, who made her Bollywood debut with Qatil (1988) opposite Aditya Pancholi, worked only for eight years as a leading lady, her last film being Nirbhay (1996) opposite Mithun Chakraborty. Pooja admitted she was disappointed by Sangeeta’s word of caution. “She’s my idol She’s beautiful, and she’s a model too,” she told Harper’s Bazaar India. “I gave every role I got my best even though the heroes got intimidated because of my stature. It’s true I didn’t book a lot of movies because …

ITTF World Team Table Tennis C’ships: Manika Batra, Manav lead India’s charge

ITTF World Team Table Tennis C’ships: Manika Batra, Manav lead India’s charge

Published by Webster

India’s top table tennis stars, led by Olympians Manika Batra, G Sathiyan, Manav Thakkar and Harmeet Desai, will take centre stage at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships 2026, beginning April 28 in London. Set to be held at the iconic OVO Arena Wembley, the tournament brings together 64 teams each in the men’s and women’s competitions, making it one of the most competitive global team events in the sport. The championships feature two prestigious trophies, the Swaythling Cup (men) and the Corbillon Cup (women). Each tie consists of up to five singles matches, with the first team to win three matches progressing, placing equal importance on squad depth and consistency. India’s challenge India enters the tournament through Stage 1b, a tougher route compared to the top-seeded teams placed directly in Stage 1a. The men’s team, led by world No. 38 Manav Thakkar, have been drawn in Group 7 alongside Slovakia, Tunisia and Guatemala. On paper, it’s a manageable group, but the margin for error remains minimal given the qualification rules. The women’s team, …