Indian table tennis star Manika Batra recently unveiled her secret weapon, the ‘Bhangra twiddle,’ to great effect during a high-stakes match against World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China at the Saudi SMAASH in May. This technique, which involves rapidly rotating the paddle to switch between backhand and forehand rubbers, has been part of Manika’s training for 15 years but is used sparingly.
At a critical juncture in the match, with Manika leading 11-10 after having been down 8-10, she anticipated Wang’s backhand move. Seizing the moment, she deftly flipped her grip and executed a precise placement shot to Wang’s forehand. This bold maneuver, which could have backfired and allowed Wang to level the score at 11-11, paid off spectacularly and secured Manika’s victory.
The term ‘twiddle’ is inspired by the characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” symbolizing the subtle grip change. Manika’s unique version, known as the ‘Bhangra Twiddle,’ draws a playful comparison to the quick wrist movements seen in Daler Mehndi’s famous dance step from Bolo Tara ra ra.
Manika’s successful use of this technique not only clinched her win but also had a significant impact on Wang Manyu’s standing. The loss may have affected Wang’s chances for an individual spot in the Chinese team, though she remains slated to participate in team events.