What does table tennis in India need? Superstars, says top player Sharath Kamal

At a time when Sharath Kamal needed Saridon, he spoke Sarandon.

During a recent table tennis league, India's top paddler, suffering a cold, spoke about what was necessary to popularise the game in India.

"For a sport to be marketed well, we need superstars," said Sharath, ranked No 46 in the world. "It's the chicken and egg question. Without superstars, there are no incentives. Without incentives, there are no superstars."

In the US, table tennis received a boost when actress Susan Sarandon became a partner in a ping pong-themed nightspot.


Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis in 'Feud: Bette and Joan (Image: AP)

Asked if a similar accident of fate could help Indian table tennis, Sharath said, "Maybe to start something off, but ultimately we need players."