Naveen Salian extended by Santosh Jain


Mumbai Super League player Naveen Salian was extended by MCF Club’s Santosh Jain in the 2nd round of Veterans 40+ event at the Matunga Gymkhana 4 Star All Mumbai Ranking Table Tennis tournament yesterday evening. Playing in the main draw after qualifying from the group league, Santosh did well to win the first two games, as Naveen was finding it difficult to finish his favourite forehand smash on his opponent’s backhand. Moreover, Santosh played very confidently to control his opponent especially during the long rallies .

Satosh Jain ( Right) in action during his match against Naveen Salian

However, at this stage Naveen received timely advice from his younger brother Kiran and with his cool temperament Naveen managed to take the next two games to equalise the set score at 2-2. In the decider, Naveen using all his experience, won the game and match to move into pre quarter finals. This was not the first time, Naveen has recovered from 0-2 down position, to win the match. In the past, he has beaten many good players in the same manner. His skill of reading his opponent well in the first half of the match and overpowering him in the 2nd half is very good.  Naveen will now take on Gurcharan Singh in Pre quarter finals today at 3.30 pm.

From Right to Left- Jogesh Motwani, Santosh Jain and Bharat Kotecha during their matches

In another well contested 2nd round match of the main draw of veterans 40+ singles, Amit Modi beat Bhavesh Shah 3-2, while Jogesh Motwani went down fighting against another MSL league player Rupesh Gharat.  Jogesh had won the first two games to take 2-0 lead, but Rupesh recovered quickly to equalise the set score at 2-2. Jogesh lost the decider at 9-11 . Saurabh Mohite also had a tough time beating Parikshit Jain in the first round of the main draw. He beat Parikshit  3-2. Parikshit troubled his opponent blocking his opponent’s powerful top spin attack with his effective blocks. In the decider, Saurabh managed his opponent well to move into the next round. However, Saurabh lost to Kedar kasbekar 0-3 in the 2nd round. Kedar will be meeting Rupesh Gharat in pre quarter finals today.Overall competition in the Veterans 40+ event is very good  and in the first two rounds itself many good matches witnessed by the spectators, who had gathered in large number at the venue.