UTT 2025: Rebranded PBG Pune Jaguars scripts history, registers first-ever win over U Mumba in league

A new identity brought about a change in the Pune franchise’s fortunes in the Maharashtra derby of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) as it defeated U Mumba for the very first time on Sunday.

Having lost to the Mumbai-based outfit as Puneri Paltan in seasons 3 and 4, the rebranded PBG Pune Jaguars came from behind to win 9-6 in front of 200-odd spectators at the EKA Arena.

Frenchman Lilian Bardet stormed through the two opening games against Spaniard Alvaro Robles, dropping just five points even as the spectators were still settling down.

However, with the league’s format putting a price on every game, Robles came alive from 1-4 down to snatch the third 11-8.

World No. 12 Bernadette Szocs was staring down the barrel against UTT debutant Dina Meshref of Egypt.

The left-handed Meshref, who used her inside-out forehand to trouble Szocs at every possible opportunity, had three match points in the second game itself. However, Szocs, who recently became the first Romanian woman in 32 years to win a World Championships medal, fought back.

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Szocs, who has never lost to Meshref since the two first faced each other as juniors in 2009, kept the record intact by surprising Meshref with the tomahawk serve for the Golden Point.

At least in singles.

Pairing up with Anirban Ghosh, Meshref bested Szocs, who partnered Akash Pal, in mixed doubles.

In the men’s singles, Akash was initially struggling to keep up with Anirban, a livewire around the table who doesn’t fear going for the kill with the service return.

Anirban’s aggressive style proved to be his undoing in the second game as he failed to convert four match points but he persisted with it and a streak of five straight points allowed him to level the tie score 6-6.

The deciding fifth singles between Reeth Rishya and Swastika Ghosh had two tight opening games, but the former, nine years her opponent’s senior, used her experience to inflict a clean sweep.