Success in sport rarely arrives overnight. It is built through years of quiet practice, early mornings, missed celebrations and an unwavering belief in a dream.
For Syndrela Das, that journey began in Kolkata, where she first picked up a table tennis bat as a little girl. Her parents recognised her love for the sport early and encouraged her to pursue it seriously. What started as a hobby soon became a passion, with hours of training becoming part of her daily routine.
Under the guidance of former international paddlers Soumyadeep Roy and Poulomi Ghatak, Syndrela steadily developed into one of India’s brightest young talents. She worked tirelessly on her speed, footwork and attacking game, often balancing intense training sessions with schoolwork and examinations.
The results soon followed.
Syndrela dominated the national circuit, winning titles across the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 categories. She also began making her mark internationally, claiming medals and titles at WTT Youth Contender events and earning a place among India’s most promising junior table tennis players. Her consistent performances eventually led to her selection in the Indian squad for the 2026 Asian Games, making her one of the youngest members of the team.
Yet, her journey wasn’t without setbacks.
In 2025, Syndrela went unsold in the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) auction. For many young athletes, that could have been a major disappointment. Instead, she treated it as motivation, continued working hard and returned stronger the following season after being picked by the Dempo Goa Challengers.
Then came the moment that captured the imagination of the entire country.
As an eight-year-old attending UTT in Kolkata, Syndrela had stood in a queue just to click a photograph with her favourite player, Manika Batra. Eight years later, she found herself standing across the table from the very same idol.
In one of the biggest upsets of UTT Season 7, the 16-year-old defeated World No. 52 Manika Batra in straight games 11-10, 11-9, 11-9, helping the Dempo Goa Challengers secure an 8-7 victory over the Ahmedabad APL Pipers.
For most people, it was a stunning upset. For Syndrela, it was another step in a journey that began with a little girl holding a table tennis bat in Kolkata. Her story reminds us that idols inspire dreams—but with dedication, discipline and perseverance, one day you may find yourself competing with them, and perhaps even surpassing them.
References
https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/utt-season-7-she-once-queued-for-photo-with-manika-batra-now-16-year-old-syndrela-das-is-india-next-big-hope-asian-games-101784361515028.html
