Diya Chitale is the most expensive Indian paddler at Ultimate Table Tennis 2025.
As Dabang Delhi TTC gears up to face Jaipur Patriots in the Ultimate Table Tennis 2025 (UTT) semifinals tonight, all eyes turn once again to Diya Chitale. Earlier this year, Chitale stunned the table tennis fraternity by defeating Sreeja Akula, now leading the Jaipur side, in a dramatic comeback from 2-3 down to win her maiden Senior National Championship title.
Months later, the stage is set for another high-stakes encounter, and the league’s most expensive Indian paddler is ready to lead from the front, one point at a time.
Coming into UTT 6, Diya Chitale wasn’t just another talented young player. She had been bought as the most expensive Indian player in the league—a tag that can both elevate and overwhelm.
On becoming the most expensive Indian player of UTT 2025
“Of course, becoming the most expensive player was a great feeling. It gave me a boost of confidence,” she shares in an exclusive interview with Khel Now. “So many teams bid for me and wanted me in their teams. When so many teams want you, it shows you’re doing something right. But I didn’t let it get to my head.”
This humility and clarity are reflected not only in her words but also in her game. At just 21, Diya has matured into a player who understands how to absorb pressure—and how to dismantle it.
“I still have a lot, lot to learn,” she adds. “This is just the beginning. I prefer not to think about the outcomes. I try to give my everything to the match I’m playing. That’s what I’ve learned works best.”
Her journey into table tennis wasn’t planned or plotted with long-term ambition. It began on a family vacation, with a casual game at a resort and a bit of healthy sibling rivalry. But the fun turned into fascination.
Diya started playing more seriously, and when she won silver at the U-12 nationals in 2014, she felt something shift. That was when Diya knew this wasn’t just a hobby anymore—it was something she wanted to chase with intention.
What followed was a steady rise. From collecting medals on the national stage to wearing India’s colours internationally, she has quietly built a resume that speaks for itself. A significant chapter in her development came from training stints in China. “The system there is completely different. Kids start at two or three. The intensity, the competition, the structure—everything is sharp and focused. It helped me learn how to cope in tough match situations. That exposure gave me a lot more confidence when playing on the global stage.”
There’s a sense of calm in the way Diya talks about pressure. It’s not something she avoids, but something she’s learned to live with.
Taking it one point at a time is a mantra heard often in sport. But as Diya says herself, it’s easier said than done—especially when you’re the last hope of your team with three sets to win, and a powerful international opponent across the table.
So, how does she manage that mindset?
This mindset of staying present and grounded is something Diya has actively cultivated. In a sport where momentum can change in the blink of an eye, staying mentally stable is often what separates a good athlete from a match winner. Diya is very aware of this distinction. While her strokes are fast and aggressive, the real transformation in her game has come from within.
“In these kinds of matches especially, the mental part of the game plays a huge, huge role,” she says. “I’ve been working with a sports psychologist, Mugdha Bhavre, for quite some time now. Everything we discuss helps me when I’m there on the table playing.”
That includes her self-talk, which Diya uses as both a weapon and a shield during matches. “I try to have a very powerful self-talk to myself. Just remind myself that I’m doing what I love to do.”
This version of Diya—mentally strong, tactically alert, and hungry for success—isn’t an overnight phenomenon. Her evolution has been shaped by years of hard work, travel, and a commitment to exposing herself to higher levels of competition.
Despite being from a family of doctors, Diya chose a completely different path. “Everyone expected I might go into medicine, too. But my parents saw how much I loved table tennis, and they supported me wholeheartedly.” It wasn’t always smooth sailing.
Injuries have been part of the journey, and last year she suffered a tough setback that ruled her out of Paris 2024. “I was low. I couldn’t walk properly for months. But with my parents, coaches, and support team around me, I stayed patient. Coming back to win the senior nationals after that felt special.”
This season at UTT, she has found strength not just in her own game but also in her teammates. “The Dabang Delhi TTC team environment is amazing. Everyone’s got each other’s backs. Whether it’s practice or match day, there’s so much positive energy. Off the court, we have fun, joke around—those moments keep things light and help with nerves.”
On the court, she’s completely focused. Her game is built around feel and timing. “I like the feedback I get on my shots. I do a lot of video analysis with my coaches. We study every detail. Even in the middle of a UTT match, if I’m struggling, I’ll speak with them to adjust my strategy on the spot.”
Her role models offer a glimpse into the kind of athlete she’s shaping herself to be. “I’ve always looked up to Virat Kohli,” she shares with a spark, “the intensity he brings, the hunger, the way he carries himself—it’s just inspiring.” Then, almost in the same breath, she adds, “And of course, Saina and Sindhu. What they’ve done for Indian badminton is incredible. They’ve shown that India can stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world.”
She also wants people to see table tennis for what it truly is: a high-speed, high-stakes sport that demands everything from you. “People think it’s easy, just a fun game at a club or a holiday. But at this level, it’s brutal. It’s mentally draining, it’s physically intense. You don’t get a second to switch off.”
Diya’s game has always stood out—compact strokes, quick footwork, fearless counters. But ask her, and she’s quick to deflect any comparison. “I don’t think I resemble anyone’s style. I just try to bring that same aggression to the table, be fast, and take my chances.”
Away from the table, she’s still figuring life out like most 21-year-olds—learning to balance ambition with everything else that makes her, her. “I love sleeping! Sundays are for rest. I hang out with my cousins; we watch movies together. Three Idiots is my all-time favourite—it was the first film I watched all the way through as a kid. I’ve probably seen it ten times.”
With so much already behind her, it’s easy to forget Diya is still early in her career. But Diya’s not in a hurry. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I know there’s still a long way to go. A lot to improve. I just want to keep learning, stay grounded, and enjoy the process.”
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