An ode to veteran table-tennis champ: G Sathiyan all praises for Sharath Kamal, says ‘we are lucky to have a senior like him’

A few days ago, Indian table-tennis pair, Sharath Kamal and G Sathiyan, won silver at the Hungarian Open. The duo had defeated top seeds Ho Kwan Kit and Wong Chun Ting in the semi-finals. In the finals, the Indians faced Germans Benedikt Duda and Patrick Franziska against whom they lost but with a tough fight.

A few weeks ago, Sathiyan had shared why he looked up to 37-year-old Kamal. "Sharath has very good serve and third ball attack but most players in India have a very good rally play. With the Asians, we have realised it does not go to that - serve or receive - if we are not up to the mark. We are lucky to have a senior like him. It takes away the pressure from the rest of the team. Coming to big games like the Commonwealth and Asian Games, having him is a big plus. A senior by your side, helping you along the path is always good," he said.

Playing alongside the table-tennis veteran seemed to have given the 27-year-old new confidence. "He has helped with team bonding and keeping us together as a team. I never felt inferior as he has always been a good listener. He is a very different person who has no qualms listening to someone 10 years junior to him. When we play doubles, this is a big plus," Sathiyan added.