Mumbai: The YANA Table Tennis League is set for its Breast Cancer Awareness Edition on October 3 and 4 at Khar Gymkhana, Mumbai, bringing together 12 franchise teams for two days of competitive table tennis. The league held its Mega Auction on September 21 after attracting more than 100 player registrations.
Among the teams to emerge significantly strengthened from the auction are Desi WarriorZ, who have transformed from underdogs into serious contenders for the title.
The franchise is led by Rajveer Singh, one of India’s leading content curators, alongside Anjuri Sinha, Stakeholder, Team Analyst and Fitness Coach. The duo have combined franchise building and brand partnerships with a focused auction strategy centred on experience, form, contrasting playing styles and overall team balance.
The headline acquisition was Upendra Mulye, secured for 740,000 points, making him Desi WarriorZ’s most expensive acquisition at the Mega Auction, according to information provided by the franchise. A Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award recipient, Mulye brings considerable experience and pedigree to the squad.
But the strength of Desi WarriorZ extends well beyond one marquee acquisition.
Avinash Kothari adds valuable veteran experience; Neeta Kulkarni brings proven doubles credentials; Shital Shah adds strong recent form and competitive intensity; Aditya Garde brings experience and composure; while Sarvesh Dahibavkar gives the squad a contrasting tactical dimension with his disruptive long-pips game.
Together, the six-player unit gives Desi WarriorZ considerable balance across categories and multiple tactical possibilities, particularly in doubles.
Completing the sporting setup is coach Shruti Kanade Joshi, who will be tasked with converting the squad’s individual strengths into winning combinations when the competition begins.
For a franchise that entered the build-up carrying the underdog tag, the Mega Auction has dramatically changed the conversation.
Desi WarriorZ have emerged with one of the league’s most balanced and formidable line-ups, turning the underdogs into serious contenders for the YANA Table Tennis League title.
The auction has built the squad. On October 3 and 4, the table will deliver the verdict.
The underdogs have arrived. And they don’t look like underdogs anymore.