The group matches in the Commonwealth Games table tennis team events have been rather uneventful so far, and most of them being one-sided.
The gulf between the top teams and the rest is so big that one feels the competitive element of the Games has been diluted to a large extent.
In the men's and women's sections, all of the top teams have had it ridiculously easy in their pool games.
As Bhawani Mukherjee, India's chief coach, asked: “What can you do when there are only six to seven countries which play the sport actively?”
While the women's group contests have ended, with the toppers and runner-up identified for the second stage, a few more still remain in the men's section, which is expected to be completed by Wednesday.
Facile win
The Indian men's team scripted its second victory in as many matches by a 3-0 margin against Guyana at the Yamuna Sports Complex here on Tuesday.
Amalraj defeated Lewis Idi Biriki 11-2, 11-8, 11-8 in the opening rubber.
Then, Sharath Kamal found it difficult to motivate himself to play his best against Christopher Anth Franklin. The India No.1 played well within himself in winning 11-5, 11-1, 11-6.
For defensive paddler R. Abishek, who has improved his rankings considerably in the last couple of months, the Games is an opportunity to further improve his standings. He didn't disappoint as he eased past Paul Anthony David, even attacking at will, for an 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 win to seal the contest in India's favour.
India meets Dominica next.
Women's team rallies
After losing a close match to New Zealand the other day and jeopardising their chances to top of the group, the Indian women put the disappointment behind them to beat Ghana 3-0.
Poulomi Ghatak got her chance to play after missing out in the match against the Kiwis. The National champion defeated Beatrice Pokua Gyasi 11-3, 11-3, 11-2.
Mouma Das got the better of Akosua Ketu 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 and Mamta Prabhu closed out the contest, beating Efua Ofori Owusu-Agyei 11-4, 11-3, 11-4.
Finishing second in its group, India takes on Australia in the quarterfinals.
