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In a sport long dominated by powerhouses such as China, Japan, Korea Republic, Sweden and Germany, few would have expected two young paddlers from Gujarat to emerge as one of the world’s most formidable men’s doubles pairs. Vadodara’s Manush Shah (25) and Surat’s Manav Thakkar (26) have done exactly that. Currently ranked World No. 2 in men’s doubles (first Indian pair to do so), the duo has not only announced itself on the global stage but also made India proud. Earlier this week, they also showcased their singles prowess, winning their respective matches to help Team India clinch the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships title. This Friendship Day, Manush and Manav speak to us about their bond on and off the court, their Olympic dreams, and more. Excerpts:

‘We spend more time together than we do with parents’

Manush: We’ve known each other since our junior days. Coming from the same state and speaking the same language brought us closer. It also makes things easier while playing as a team. We also bond over our love for Kapil Shama’s show and other comedy shows. Manav is a year older than me, and he is my best friend.

Manav: We always shared rooms during tournaments; now we share history. We have similar food preferences and have travelled together extensively. In fact, we spend more time with each other than with our parents (laughs)! We don’t mind the occasional cheat day after a big win. Usually, we prefer Italian or Mexican cuisine. While playing abroad, we also love eating at Indian restaurants.

‘Our journey as a team started in 2022’

Manav: Our journey as a team at the senior level began in 2022 when we decided to partner up for a tournament. Before that, we had been playing doubles with different partners. As the results started coming, so did our belief. At the 2023 Asian Games, we narrowly missed out on a medal, losing a heartbreaking match to the World No. 1 pair despite holding a match point. It was a bittersweet feeling. That defeat, however, convinced us that we had the potential to become a truly formidable team.

Manush: That one tournament in 2022 changed our destiny, and there’s been no looking back since (smiles). We’ve enjoyed some incredible results as a team, and winning those medals for India has been immensely satisfying. Our immediate goal is to win Asian Games gold for India this year. Beyond that, the ultimate dream is to qualify for the Olympics and make the country proud on the biggest stage. Doing well in doubles has also helped us improve as singles players.

‘Being the World No. 2 team feels amazing’

Talking about their historic achievement, Manav shares, “Being the World No. 2 team in men’s doubles is an amazing feeling. We know we have created history, but there is no place for complacency. We need to keep improving and doing well to maintain this ranking. While Manush is a more attacking player, I am a counterattacking player, and our left hand-right hand combination really works well.” Manush agrees, “We complement each other really well as players. We’re grateful to the Gujarat State Table Tennis Association (GSTTA) and the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) for their unwavering support over the years. Right from our junior days, they ensured we got the right domestic and international exposure, which has played a huge role in our journey.”