As the last day of the Delhi leg gets underway today, Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas and Dabang Smashers T.T.C will look to keep their winning habits close to themselves, making strategies keeping in mind their league positions before the Mumbai leg of the competition. Both the teams registered comprehensive victories in their previous Ties, but the Yoddhas find themselves in a precarious situation, as even a victory may not guarantee them a spot in the semi-finals.

The Smashers, on the other hand find themselves in a slightly better position, as a victory will book them a place in the knock-out stage of the tournament. As the business end of the tournament nears, they will seek nothing less than a formidable victory to strengthen their chances.

Oilmax-Stag Yoddhas will be proud with the way some of their key paddlers performed in their Tie against RP-SG Mavericks, who they beat 16-11. Manika Batra succeeded in impressing her home crowd when she became the second Indian woman to emerge victorious against a foreign player in a Match. She will look to bid Delhi adieu with some more aggressive and stylish table tennis tonight.

Quadri Aruna and Doo Hoi Kem were on top of their games as well. They left no gaps and stones unturned, as they dominated their opponents from start to end. Polina Mikhailova laid an impact as well, beating Sabine Winter with some exceptional rallies and smashes during the Match. The only chink in their armour was Jubin Kumar, who will look to redeem himself if he is provided with an opportunity.

Dabang Smashers have been one of the dominant teams of the CEAT UTT so far. They have players of the highest calibre and have the capability of humbling the best in the business on a given day. In their last encounter, the likes of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Amalraj Anthony stepped up to the occasion and brought their A-game to the fore, giving the team some crucial points early on against DHFL Maharashtra United.

Madhurika Patkar set a record in the CEAT UTT when she went as the first Indian woman to win a Match against a foreign player. The youngster beat the experienced Fu Yu to achieve this feat, and will be raring to go once again.

Equally formidable are their foreign crop of players. Marcos Freitas, Kou Lei, Tetyana Bilenko and Kim Song I were spectacular and have accumulated many a victory for the Smashers so far in the League. The Smashers have a striking balance between their Indian and foreign players and complement each other perfectly.

Two of the most exciting and balanced teams will face off at the Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi and the stakes are high too. There will be some intriguing battles to look out for on the table, even between the Indians. The points earned in this Tie will decide the future of both the teams in CEAT UTT’s inaugural season. Delhi Is all set to witness a special parting gift!