New Delhi, January 2: The New Year has brought a lot cheers to the Indian table tennis fraternity with as many as six male and three female paddlers hitting the jackpot in world rankings, released by ITTF today.

The IITF rankings have undergone a sea change after the new system was approved by the Executive Committee meeting in September 2017. The new system— more simplified and comprehensive one—provides for a more dynamic world ranking based on paddlers’ performance and results during the entire year. In addition, the system also encourages players to participate in more and more events rather than being inactive, affecting the individual’s rankings.  

G. Sathiyan, who was nowhere near the top-100 bracket until a few months ago, is the leader today at world No. 49, thus pushing A. Sharath Kamal to the second spot at No. 51. They are followed by Soumyajit Ghosh (58), Harmeet Desai (60), Sanil Shetty (68) and Anthony Amalraj (87).

As for the women paddlers, Manika Batra is topping the world chart among Indians at 62, while Mouma Das (74) and Madhurika Patkar (81) trailing the leader.

In under-18 boys, Manav Thakkar at 18 is followed by Manush Shah at 47 while Snehit Surravajjula is placed 64. In the girls’ section, three Indians—Archana Kamath (34), Selenadeepthi Selvakumar (95) and Yashini Sivashankar (99) —are in top 100.

In under-15 Boys, Jeho Himnakulhpuingheta is placed at No. 52. He is followed by Payas Jain (74) and Yashansh Malik 85) while in Under-15 Girls Diya at 21 way ahead of the two compatriots Anusha Kutumbale (63) and Vanshika Bhargava (70).