The Indian contingent made a brilliant start to the Tokyo Olympics 2021 as Mirabai Chanu won the silver medal in 49kgs weightlifting. On the second day, another Indian player displayed outstanding performance and impressed everyone.

Table-tennis star Manika Batra defeated 20th seed Margaryta Pesotska of Ukraine to storm into the women’s singles third round. She did look nervous at the start but soon regained composure. Manika lost the first two games 4-11 and 4-11 but then changed her tactics to make a fantastic comeback in the match. She defeated Pesotska 4-3 (7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 10-12, 6-11) and progressed to round third, inching close to a medal.

Manika plays against Austria’s Sofia Polcanova on Monday for a place in the round of 16.

While social media was fascinated by Manika Batra’s comeback, the cricketing fraternity too wasn’t behind in showering praise for her. The likes of Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar congratulated her on the victory.

Former India batsman Virender Sehwag praised Batra and wrote, “That was an outstanding comeback by Manika Batra to win that. Bahut bahut badhiya. Just one step away from a medal #Tokyo2020.”

That was an outstanding comeback by Manika Batra to win that. Bahut bahut badhiya. Just one step away from a medal #Tokyo2020

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 25, 2021

Cricketing Legend Sachin Tendulkar also posted a congratulatory message for Manika. He wrote, “What a fantastic comeback Manika! Watched every single point.. the first couple of games were dominated by Margaryta, who kept the rallies short & played her backhand well. Slowly but surely Manika came back & started controlling the pace of the game.”

“She moved from Plan A to Plan B very smartly & got her opponent to play more forehands & the moment the rallies got longer, the Ukrainian was playing to her plan. Manika beat her with superb game planning. Her situational awareness was just tremendous,” he added.

She moved from Plan A to Plan B very smartly & got her opponent to play more forehands & the moment the rallies got longer, the Ukrainian was playing to her plan.

Manika beat her with superb game planning. Her situational awareness was just tremendous.👏🏻#TableTennis #Tokyo2020

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 25, 2021

Here are the other congratulatory tweets for Indian Table Tennis star Manika Batra:

Well played Manika Batra.
That was a stunning comeback. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/PFsdEaCAtR

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) July 25, 2021

Wah wah #manikabatra bahut khoob 👏👏 what a comeback !! #Tokyo2020

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 25, 2021

Congratulations 🇮🇳 @manikabatra_TT well done 👏 keep making us proud #Olympics @Media_SAI @Tokyo2020

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) July 25, 2021

That was a brilliant comeback by @manikabatra_TT . Absolutely Superb win. #Tokyo2020

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 25, 2021

What a comeback! @manikabatra_TT absolute genius 👏👏of the game !!

India 🇮🇳 banking on her for 2nd medal … #Olympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/0vtUaSKzKi

— Ajay Ratra (@ajratra) July 25, 2021

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