10-member Indian table tennis team to train in Portugal ahead of CWG 2022

"We have come into the final phase of preparation going into the Commonwealth Games. We will be going for match practice and a training camp in Portugal. The tour will be followed by a WTT tournament in Hungary," Sharath said during a virtual press conference organised by the Sports Authority of India.

"We will be playing in a good international tournament. The training camp will help us revaluate our training session and preparations ahead of the CWG," the 39-year-old said. He might be at the fag end of his career, but Sharath is still India's best bet in the CWG, having constantly worked on his physical fitness and mental health.

Meanwhile, he will be partnering Sreeja Akula in the mixed doubles. "I have always been a team guy which is a very important thing while playing doubles. For me the most important factor is adaptability. I adapt easily which helps me in doubles," he said. All the players on the tour are part of the Birmingham-bound Indian team picked by the Committee of Administrators. The Indian table tennis players had won all the team events at the last edition of the CWG and returned with a haul of three gold, two silver, and three bronze.