Ankur Bhattacharjee has dyed a small section of hair on the side of his head. He adorns a gleaming stud in his left ear and displays numerous tattoos on his left arm. During table tennis matches, he frequently turns to his teammates, expressing his excitement with a loud cheer and a clenched fist after securing a point.

This is all part of his personal style, he explains.

“Everything stems from my admiration for Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli,” stated the 18-year-old table tennis athlete in an interview with HT. “I enjoy exhibiting that level of aggression while I compete.”

On Wednesday, this aggression was prominently showcased at the Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium in Surat, where he played a crucial role in leading the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) to victory in the men’s team category at the 86th Senior National Championships.

His teammate Achanta Sharath Kamal observed Bhattacharjee from the team dugout.

“There’s no need to offer him any advice,” Sharath remarked to this publication following the match. “We simply encourage him to take his shots.”

Bhattacharjee’s playing style can pose significant challenges for his opponents. He moves swiftly across the table and adeptly alters the spin and placement during rallies. His backhand, in particular, is powerful, precise, and sharp enough to extricate him from challenging situations.

“To possess that touch, control, and power… he can execute various speeds, lengths, and spins from different distances at the table,” Sharath elaborates. “He can attempt aggressive shots while maintaining good control. It’s difficult for opponents to find their rhythm against him because his unpredictability keeps them guessing. He has an excellent grasp of the game, and while he does have some weaknesses, his strengths effectively compensate for them.”

This impressive skill set comes from a player who initially had no intention of pursuing table tennis. His true passion lay in cricket, and he emphasized that he still makes it a point to watch every India match.

His foray into table tennis was influenced by his parents, both of whom were former national-level players.

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