Leaving Indian table tennis in safe hands: Sharath Kamal

THE curtains came down on paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal's glorious career after his straight-games loss to Snehit Suravajjula in the round of 16 at the WTT Star Contender, being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru indoor stadium here on Saturday.

- ASHOK VENUGOPAL @ Chennai

Playing in front of about 500-odd spectators, Sharath went down 9-11, 8-11, 9-11 to wildcard and doubles partner Snehit in about 25 minutes. "Everybody thought, everybody was expecting that (I will win), but I knew the fact that it's going to be very tough. Also, I played three matches yesterday (Friday), I'm not being in the best shape physically. Everybody expects me to be the favourite against the Indian boys, but personally I would have loved to face a foreigner because I can then go all guns blazing," said Sharath after his loss. "There is a lot happening mentally. I'm a little bit like a mentor for them (other Indian players). Apart from Snehit, I