Panaji: This is no fairy tale about a damsel-in-distress, glass slippers and midnight curfews. This one is about Syndrela Das, named after the famed mythical princess Cinderella. And it’s for real.In 2018, when the second edition of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), the country’s premier league, was held in Kolkata, Syndrela, just eight years old, watched enthusiastically from the stands. There were accomplished players, Olympians, stars. At the end of the day’s play, she would wait for her chance to click a picture with the stars. The one with Manika Batra was priceless. After all, she was the queen of Indian table tennis.Eight years later, on her debut in UTT, Syndrela’s first win made heads turn. It stunningly came against Batra as the teenager registered a straight set 11-10, 11-9, 11-9 win for the biggest upset of the league.For someone who was unsold at last year’s auction and playing her debut season, this was quite a statement.“I did feel bad that I was not picked last season,” Syndrela told TOI during a recent video call. “That (exclusion) made me take it up as a challenge and be better, so that everyone is willing to pick me in their team at the auction.”At this year’s auction, there was no doubt that the 16-year-old would find a team. Her growing consistency against senior opposition earned her a well-deserved spot at the World Team Table Tennis Championships and the Asian Games. At the Asian Youth Championships in Thailand, she returned home with a bronze in singles and a silver in doubles.Little surprise Dempo Goa Challengers battled hard for her signature, driving her auction value up by 143% to secure the young talent.“After last year’s auction, I was determined to do well. I went to the senior nationals and turned my rank from seven to two. Even at international competitions, I did well. The overall season was good, and as I turned my focus on doing well internationally, I knew I would get selected,” said Syndrela.At Dempo Goa Challengers, Syndrela is in good company. There’s three-time Olympian Bernadette Szocs from Romania; Alvaro Robles has also competed at the highest level for Spain, won the UTT title multiple times, while Abhinandh PB, Divyansh Srivastava and Ananya Chande are all living up to the promise.“I have so much to learn from everyone here, not just the two experienced international heavyweights. It’s exciting at UTT; every set counts, every point makes a difference. It’s a huge challenge for me,” said Syndrela.The teenager from Bengal lost two of her three matches at UTT, but not without a fight, as she stretched her higher-ranked and accomplished opponents to the limit. Fortunately, her teammates are unstoppable as Goa Challengers have an all-win record so far in the league.Once UTT concludes, there’s more in store for Syndrela as she debuts at the Asian Games.“I’m really excited to be going to Japan because I’ve always wanted to go there. This is such a big sporting event. I will watch top players, learn from them. If we fight, we have a chance to win a medal,” said Syndrela.Who knows, Syndrela might just script another super story in Japan.
