(MOREPIC1) Face2News/Ludhiana
The Men’s 9-Ball National Championship at the Manisha Constructions National Pool Championship 2026 witnessed a gripping mix of intense battles and commanding performances as the Last 32 knockout stage concluded, setting up the Last 16, scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM today.
Close Encounters Steal the Spotlight
Several matches went down to the wire, delivering high-pressure finishes:
• Shahbaz Adil Khan (PSPB) edged past E. Pandurangaiah (RSPB) 8–7 in one of the closest contests of the round • Sumit Talwar (Chandigarh) held his nerve to defeat Abhinav Dhiman (Chandigarh) 8–7 • Kamal Chawla (RSPB) secured a strong 8–6 win over Ranveer Duggal (Chandigarh)
These matches highlighted the razor-thin margins as players battled for a place in the final stages.
Dominant Performances Continue
Several top contenders progressed comfortably with authoritative wins:
• Gagandeep Makkar (Chandigarh) dominated Dhruv Varma (Punjab) 8–1 • Piyush Kushwaha (Madhya Pradesh) impressed with an 8–3 win over Alok Kumar (PSPB) • Kushal C (Karnataka) advanced with an 8–3 victory over Laxman Rawat (PSPB) • S. Shrikrishna (PSPB) cruised past M.L. Laxman (Karnataka) 8–3• Anuj Uppal (Delhi) secured a commanding 8–2 win over Namit Sharma (Delhi)• Shoaib Khan (Delhi) delivered a dominant 8–2 victory over Anurag Giri (MP)
Top Names Advance
• Pankaj Advani (PSPB) continued his steady run, defeating Divya Sharma (Haryana) 8–4 • Shivam Arora (Maharashtra) advanced with an 8–5 win over Jagadesh B (Tamil Nadu) • Abhijeet Ranade (Maharashtra) carried forward his strong momentum, beating Malkeet Singh (RSPB) 8–4 • Robin D’Souza (RSPB) got past Aayush Kumar (Punjab) 8–4
Last 16 Set for Evening Showdown
With the conclusion of the Last 32, the championship now moves into the Last 16, where the competition is expected to intensify further as players close in on the title. The next round is scheduled for 6:00 PM, promising high-quality matchups and increased stakes.
Tournament Update: 10-Ball Begins
In parallel, the Men’s 10-Ball National Championship has officially commenced, with the initial double elimination stage now underway.
With both formats in action, the championship continues to deliver non-stop cue sports action from Ludhiana.
Closing Note
From dominant victories to edge-of-the-seat finishes, the Last 32 stage showcased the depth and competitiveness of Indian pool, setting the stage for an exciting run towards the finals.
