UTT 2025: Mentor Sharath doesn’t rue not playing despite Chennai Lions’ struggling form
After three rounds in the ongoing Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season Six, Chennai Lions is the only team amongst the eight franchises which has not won a single tie in Ahmedabad.
The side, which clinched the title on its debut season in 2019 (Season Three) and finished as runner-up in 2023 (Season Four), is seventh in the standings with 20 points.
Poor starts in all three ties have meant that the team has been playing catch-up all the time. Captain Kirill Gerassimenko against Kolkata ThunderBlades and Jaipur Patriots, and Payas Jain against Ahmedabad SG Pipers were clean swept in the opening men’s singles. The side has also found converting Golden Points difficult.
“We need to have a start which is at least putting us on a level-playing field. From there, we can carry the confidence into mixed doubles,” said team mentor Achanta Sharath Kamal after the 7-8 loss to the home side.
With only ties against U Mumba on Saturday and Dempo Goa Challengers on Monday remaining in the league stage for the Lions, Sharath knows the team needs big results in order to reach the semifinals.
“I think, on an average, we need to get 40 points. We now have 20 points. So, 10 points each in two matches. We are capable of doing that,” said the 42-year-old.
Sharath was the marquee player of the team in yellow since its entry into UTT. The five-time Olympian retired from the sport in March this year.
Captain Kirill Gerassimenko (in yellow) against Kolkata ThunderBlades and Jaipur Patriots, and Payas Jain against Ahmedabad SG Pipers were clean swept in the opening men’s singles.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Captain Kirill Gerassimenko (in yellow) against Kolkata ThunderBlades and Jaipur Patriots, and Payas Jain against Ahmedabad SG Pipers were clean swept in the opening men’s singles.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
Despite the team’s struggles, Sharath feels it was the right call to not play in the league anymore. “I’m happy I made the decision to not play and take a step back. Of course, I always feel I can play mixed doubles for the next two or three seasons because I know the game well. I play doubles very well and I’ll be able to survive there. But I’ll be a liability to the team,” he said.
“In the current format, the Indian players will have to play the singles and mixed doubles. Also, for the last two seasons, Payas Jain was on the bench while I was playing. Now, he’s on the floor and slowly getting there. That is the way.”
Sharath also praised Fan Siqi, the first Chinese player in UTT since 2017, for her impact on the Lions squad. Former World No. 11 Fan, who attracted the highest bid at the auction, has dropped just one game in her three singles matches. She has also partnered Payas in mixed doubles in two fixtures.
“She’s able to build the game in so many different ways. I keep telling the boys and girls that they need to learn from Fan on how to build after each different serve. Of course, there is a lot of pressure on her because many times, she’s coming into the match where we are completely down and everything depends on her. I hope we will be able to change that from the next tie,” he said.