Zubin hopes to improve world ranking

So finally after receiving blessings from his parents,Zubin took the court and went on to win the silver in the doubles category.

Just a week before the senior nationals he had come back to India after a successful campaign in the 11th South Asian Games held in Dhaka. “It was for the first time that I was taking part in the event but I was not nervous at all. In fact I was determined to do well for my country. We won the team gold after defeating Sri Lanka in the final,” said the top ranked player in men’s category in Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) ranking list.

Now back after some good matches in Qatar Open in Doha where he played against some of the best players in the world,the Chandigarh paddler went to Pune with full confidence to attend the Commonwealth Games camp from March 5 to 16. “I am happy being one of the 24 core probables shortlisted for the Games. I gave some good performances in front of the selection committee members in the senior nationals where I won a silver medal in doubles and bronze in mixed category. But I know the competition has just begun. I will try to do well in the forthcoming tournaments and try to keep my place in the CWG final team which would be pruned to 16,then 12 and finally 10 before the Games to be held in Delhi. So a lot of work has to be done,” shared the 23-year-old over phone from Pune.

Looking back over the season that has gone by,Zubin said though he was not happy with his recent performances he would like to improve his game by watching the Chinese players when they go for another camp in China later this month. “The Chinese paddlers have dominated the game for a long time. So it would be nice to play against them and pick up few tips from the coaches. The camp in China will prove vital to achieve our goals before the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

With the next big event in the form of World Table Tennis Championship to be held from May 23 to 30 in Moscow,Zubin knows that the next few months would be the most crucial of his life. “Some big events are lined up for this year and I have to be in good shape. After the World Championship,there is the Indian Open where we will get to play against good players. That is the last big event before the Commonwealth Games. I was a junior player when the last edition of the Games was held but now I have progressed well and winning a medal is on my top wish list right now,” he said in a confident voice.