On rising Yashaswini's table: Remain calm and learn fast

Yashaswini Ghorpade does not celebrate much during a table tennis match.

- Shahid Judge

SURAT: Even a win will see a fist pump or two at best. She explains that her demeanour during a match is more by design.

"I don't want the heart rate to go up," she tells HT. "I have to keep the excitement in check so I can stay focused."

At the 86th Senior National Table Tennis Championships in Surat, Ghorpade has remained stoic. But her game has certainly caused a buzz of excitement at the Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium.

Last year, the 20-year-old from Bengaluru made the transition from the juniors and broke into the top 100 in rankings as well. "The transition to the seniors was quite smooth," she says. "I didn't really have any expectations (of entering the world's top 100) since it was my first year."

The world No. 88 carries the confidence of an elite player. From the backhand, which she considers her strength, Ghorpade uses the long-pimple rubber to create openings before finishing a point with a strong forehand. She is also quick on her feet and has a sturdy defence that she turns into attack.