The standoff between Manika Batra and the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) over her exclusion from the Asian Games squad intensified on Wednesday, with the ace paddler hinting at legal recourse even as the federation issued a detailed response explaining the selection process and the circumstances that led to her omission.

The three-page reply, accessed by The Hindu, was sent after deliberations within the TTFI hierarchy over the last five days and outlines the selection criteria, the evaluation process and the discussions held by the national selection committee.

According to the federation, despite not fulfilling the prescribed criteria because of her absence from the domestic circuit for the last two seasons, World No. 51 Manika was still considered in recognition of her achievements and stature in Indian table tennis.

The TTFI also rejected comparisons with the selection process for the 2022 Asian Games, stating that the earlier policy “cannot be determinative” for the 2026 edition. It maintained that Manika’s omission “was not due to any single factor” but was based on a cumulative assessment comprising national performance, global performance, comparative evaluation of competing players, team composition, medal prospects and strategic suitability, besides the views expressed and votes cast by the selection committee members.

Manika, however, maintained that her concerns were about transparency rather than selection.

“If I do not receive satisfactory answers regarding the basis of this decision, I will be left with no option but to explore all remedies available to me, including legal recourse through my legal team,” she said in a statement issued earlier in the day.

“Not because I want a place in the team. Not because I want special treatment. But because I believe every athlete deserves transparency, consistency, and accountability in the selection process. All I am asking for is a fair and honest explanation. And just to be absolutely clear once again — I am asking questions, not special consideration.”

The 31-year-old also questioned the exclusion of Ayhika Mukherjee, who partnered Sutirtha Mukherjee to India’s historic women’s doubles bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games.

“I am also surprised to see players with proven records for India being left out. Athletes who have delivered medals and results for the country deserve to know how such decisions were reached,” Manika said.

With the TTFI finally responding to her objections, attention will now shift to whether Manika, who has also sought the Prime Minister’s intervention, pursues the legal challenge she has publicly hinted at.