by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Lining up alongside Purit Verakultawan and Supakron Pankhaoyoy; occupying the second seeded position in the competition, a three-nil defeat was experienced in the group stage of proceedings when facing the India ‘B’ duo formed by Anukram Jain and Sneht Suravajjula, the Junior Boys’ Singles winner.

Anukram Jain gave his team the ideal start by beating Yanapong Panagitgun (4-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4), before Sneht Suravajjula accounted for Purit Verakultawan (11-8, 4-11, 7-11, 8-11, 12-10) to established a two matches to nil lead. Matters concluded with the India duo combining to beat Yananpong Panagitgun and Supakron Pankhaoyoy in four games (8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8).

Defeat for Thailand but second place in the group and thus progress to the main draw was the outcome.

Selecting Sivaji Roy and Anukram Jain for the singles with Mudit Dani joining forces with Anukram Jain for the doubles, a three-nil win was recorded by India ‘B’ against the United Arab Emirates ‘B’ duo of Abdulla Almohaiseni and Khalifa Alhashmi.

It was the same margin of victory as earlier in the day had been recorded by the Thai trio. The only change to the line-up that lost to India being that Yanapong Panagitgun and Supakron Pankhaoyoy formed the doubles combination.

Meanwhile, in the remaining four initial phase Junior Boys’ Team groups, it was top spot for the highest rated.

India ‘A’, the top seeds, who selected from Parth Virmani, Jeet Chandra and Manush Utpalbhai Shah duly topped their group, as did the third seeded Egypt ‘B’ team duo of Ahmed Meshref and Youssef Abdel-Aziz.

Likewise for the next two teams in the order of merit, it was pole position. Qatar with Mohammed Abdulwahhab and Nawaf Al-Malki on duty, secured first place in their group as did the United Arab Emirates ‘A’ Team pairing of Salah Al-Balooshi and Abdulla Al-Balooshi.

Play in the Junior Boys’ Team event concludes on Saturday 28th July.