Sreeja finds a purple patch in Jaipur's pink
While achieving a rare feat of an Indian paddler featuring in the singles round-of-16 at the Olympics (she and Manika Batra both made it to the women's singles pre-quarterfinals at Paris 2024), Sreeja was also on the brink of breaking into the top-20 world rankings.
But soon after returning from Paris, Sreeja was diagnosed with a stress fracture that took longer than expected to heal. Since then, she hasn't been as dynamic on the world stage as she was in the 12 months leading to the Olympics.
But the diminutive girl from Hyderabad has revelled in the pink jersey of Jaipur Patriots in the Ultimate Table Tennis. After missing the fifth season due to the stress fracture, Sreeja has remained unbeaten in season six – Zeng Jian of Goa Challengers is the only other unbeaten singles player this season – to spearhead Patriots' smooth ride into the semifinals.
Sreeja Akula keeps her red-hot streak alive to cap off a MASSIVE night for the Jaipur Patriots 🔥♨️
📺 Live on JioHotstar and the Star Sports network.
🎫 Tickets on https://t.co/UPGtaesJjH#UTT#UTTSeason6#UltimateTableTennispic.twitter.com/N839uvh4iK — Ultimate Table Tennis (@UltTableTennis) June 11, 2025
'UTT has definitely helped because I have played different opponents and mixed doubles as well,' Sreeja told The Hindu. 'I have also been doing my fitness, continuing my routine every day. But I also wanted to play a number of matches, and this league is a very good stage where I can try different things and contribute to my team.'
Sreeja in singles at UTT season six
bt Maria Xiao (Dabang Delhi) 2-1; bt Poymantee Baisya (Chennai Lions) 3-0; bt Bernadette Szocs (U Mumba) 2-1; bt Ayhika Mukherjee (Jaipur Patriots) 2-1; bt Zion Lee (Pune Jaguars) 2-1.
While Patriots – who had a forgettable UTT debut last season without Sreeja – started on a disastrous note, Sreeja was the only bright spot in their campaign-opener against Dabang Delhi TTC. Groomed in confidence with a close win against left-handed Maria Xiao, Sreeja went on to account for Bernadette Szocs, the World No. 12.
Sreeja is confident that the three weeks at UTT will help her in her future endeavours, starting with the US Open next month and heading into three major Smash events on the world circuit.
'It took some time for me to recover, it's all about ups and downs, and I just have to accept it and take the learnings from those matches and move on. I have tried to figure out what went wrong, and I am getting back to my best. I am confident that I will be in the zone pretty soon'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
Online Gaming Bill: Cricket industry's revenue could be hit due to proposed ban on real money gaming
The 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 ', which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, could spell the end of "real money gaming platforms", that have stakes in the sponsorship market of Indian sports, most significantly cricket. The contents of the bill, which aims to regulate one of the fastest growing industries, is music to the ears for the Esports fraternity in the country. But the multi-billion dollar fantasy gaming industry comprising companies that have spent big money in sponsorship of cricket might see a marked dip in their revenues. And as a chain reaction, it could also affect the sports sponsorship market, including individual players' sponsorship and franchise-based domestic leagues of disciplines like kabaddi and football. The Online gaming regulation bill looks to create a regulatory body that will look after four diverse segments -- Esports, educational gaming, social and casual gaming and real money gaming. Of these, there will be restrictions on online money games, states the document which is in possession of PTI. As per "PROHIBITIONS" clause: "No person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money game and online money gaming service. "No bank, financial institution, or any other person facilitating financial transactions or authorisation of funds shall engage in, permit, aid, abet, induce or otherwise facilitate any transaction or authorisation of funds towards payment for any online money gaming service." The "OFFENCES AND PENALTIES" clause clearly terms real money gaming as a criminal offence which could lead to jail and humongous fine for the service provider. Clause 9. (1) reads "Any person who offers online money gaming service in contravention of section 5 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one crore rupees or with both. Clause 9. (2) reads: "Any person who makes or causes to make advertisement in any media, in contravention of section 6, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to fifty lakh rupees or with both. The government makes it clear that real money gaming is leading to a lot of social problems and it needs some kind of regulation. "....the parallel proliferation of online money games accessible through mobile phones, computers and the internet, and offering monetary returns against user deposits has led to serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups; "...such games often use manipulative design features, addictive algorithms, bots and undisclosed agents, undermining fairness, transparency and user protection, while promoting compulsive behaviour leading to financial ruin." Implications of the Bill Cricket is one sport which has seen a huge influx of real money gaming with Indian team's title sponsor being Dream 11. My11Circle is the official fantasy sports partner of the money-spinning Indian Premier League. Dream11 brought the Indian team's title rights for about USD 44 million (Rs 358 crore approx). My11Circle brought IPL fantasy gaming rights for a fee of Rs 625 crore for five years (Rs 125 crore approx annually). Add to this the country's top cricketers -- former as well as current -- have hefty personal endorsement deals with various real money gaming platforms. Noted sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who has a deep understanding of the subject, explained the consequences in a nutshell. "Cricket is huge in India and there won't be any dearth of sponsors for Indian cricket and its properties. However, personal sponsorship market can shrink because of this bill. "Also fan engagement will be affected," Singhania told PTI. He, however, explained that fantasy games can still run a subscription based model. "There will be a subscription fee and say you pay Rs 100 for a gaming app and test your skills in fantasy gaming. But real money gaming which is paying and earning money, that is prohibited as per this bill." The gigantic revenue stream of all these fantasy gaming apps will certainly diminish due to the ban and hence money flowing back into the sport will decrease markedly. Joy for Esports Market Esports made its debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and the International Olympic Committee will be conducting its first Esport Olympics in Riyadh in 2027. Sharing his thoughts on this development, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, says, "The government's intent to recognise and promote esports, as highlighted in the recent bill, is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem. "However, for this vision to truly materialise, it is critical that the terminology used in the bill, particularly the distinctions between esports, online gaming, online social gaming, and online money gaming be clearly defined and uniformly understood."
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Mera naseeb hai': Shreyas Iyer's father reveals son's response after Asia Cup snub
Shreyas Iyer (left) with his father Santosh Iyer (Instagram) Santosh Iyer on Thursday expressed disappointment over son Shreyas Iyer 's exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, terming it "sad" and "unfair" and also revealed start batter's response after the snub. While Iyer, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024, was left out, and Punjab Kings to the final in 2025. India Asia Cup squad: Why Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill are biggest talking points 'I don't know what else Shreyas has to do to make it to the Indian T20 team," Santosh Iyer told TOI. "He has been performing so well in the IPL year after year, from Delhi Capitals to Kolkata Knight Riders to Punjab Kings, and that too as a captain. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "He even captained KKR to the IPL title in 2024, and led PBKS to the final this year. I'm not saying make him the Indian captain, but at least select him in the team,' he said. 'However, let me tell you that even if he's left out of the Indian team, he doesn't show dissent on his face. He'll just say: ' Mera naseeb hai (it's my luck)! You can't do anything now.' He's always cool and calm. He doesn't blame anybody. Deep inside, he must be naturally disappointed.' Poll Do you think Shreyas Iyer deserves a spot in the Indian T20 team? Yes, definitely No, he should prove himself more Iyer, who has played 51 T20Is for India, has scored 1104 runs at an average of 30.66 and a strike rate of 136.12. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We Have No Words For Dog The Bounty Hunter's Transformation Cash Roadster Undo His last appearance in the format came against Australia in December 2023. The Mumbai batter also has a strong leadership record in the IPL, guiding Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2019 and to their maiden final in 2020, before steering KKR to the title last year. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar too criticised the selectors' decision, suggesting it signals Iyer is no longer in the reckoning for T20 cricket. "I can't fathom or understand what reason could justify Shreyas Iyer not being part of the 20-member squad," Nayar told JioHotstar. "I'm not even talking about the final 15, but the 20 itself, which sends a clear message, that Shreyas Iyer is not in the selectors' scheme of things, at least from a T20 perspective." Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Business Standard
31 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Lok Sabha clears Online Gaming Bill 2025, bans real money games
The Lok Sabha has passed the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans real money online games citing gambling addiction, money laundering and financial fraud as key risks. The Bill will now move to the Rajya Sabha for approval. The legislation formally recognises esports as a sport, with the Sports Ministry tasked with setting guidelines for events, training academies and technology platforms. It also promotes the development of social and educational games with age-appropriate content rooted in Indian values. In contrast, online money games, whether based on skill, chance or both, will be completely prohibited. These cannot be offered, advertised or promoted, and banks will be barred from processing related payments. Existing money gaming platforms will be blocked under the Information Technology Act, 2000. A National Online Gaming Authority will be created to regulate the sector, categorise and register games, determine whether a game qualifies as a money game, and address complaints. The Bill prescribes strict penalties, including up to three years imprisonment and fines of Rs 1 crore for facilitating money games. Advertising such games could draw a penalty of Rs 50 lakh or up to two years in jail. Repeat violations may result in harsher penalties of three to five years imprisonment and fines up to Rs 2 crore. Introducing the Bill, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it was aimed at protecting society while supporting legitimate gaming. He cited cases of addiction, fraud and financial distress caused by money games, and pointed to links with money laundering and terror financing. He also noted that 32 suicides had been reported in the last 31 months due to online money gaming.
