Syndrela Das Eyes Asian Games Gold, Targets World Top 50

Teen table tennis sensation Syndrela Das is setting her sights high after earning a place in India’s senior women’s team for the Asian Games, with the 17-year-old targeting gold in Aichi-Nagoya and a rapid rise into the world top 50.

Currently ranked No. 99 in the ITTF women’s singles rankings and No. 27 in youth girls’ singles, Kolkata-based Syndrela has emerged as one of India’s promising young paddlers. Her selection comes after a strong run that included a double crown at the National Ranking Table Tennis Championships in August, where she won the women’s singles and U-19 girls’ singles titles. She went through seven matches without dropping a game in the senior competition.

Her breakthrough has also come on the international and professional circuit. At the Asian Youth Championships in Thailand in July, Syndrela won bronze in the U-19 girls’ singles and silver in girls’ doubles. In the Ultimate Table Tennis season, she produced one of her biggest wins by defeating Manika Batra in straight games while representing Dempo Goa Challengers.

“For the country, of course, I am looking forward to the Asian Games and we would try to clinch the gold. But personally, I would try to get into the top 50 as fast as possible,” Syndrela told PTI.

She described 2026 as the best season of her career so far, having also been selected for the Commonwealth Championships and Youth Olympics. The teenager said she remains focused on learning from defeats and improving every day.

Her routine includes three to four hours of morning training and two to three hours in the evening, besides fitness and gym sessions. She also analyses every tournament with her coach, working specifically on mistakes that emerge in matches.

Mental preparation has become equally important. Syndrela said her mental trainer helped change her outlook by telling her that “pressure is a privilege” — a mindset she believes can help her handle the demands of playing at the highest level.