PBG Pune Jaguars have assembled a formidable squad for IndianOil UTT Season 6, marking a fresh chapter as the team relocates from Bengaluru to Pune. Leading their roster is Spanish star Alvaro Robles (World Rank 36), while their women’s contingent gets a major boost with the addition of Egypt’s table tennis sensation Dina Meshref (World Rank 38) and 2023 UTT Champion Reeth Rishya. This season’s auction was particularly significant, as it featured players entering the auction pool for the first time, adding a new layer of strategy to team selections.
Leading the roster, last year’s captain and mainstay in doubles, Alvaro Robles was picked by the Jaguars for 18.1 Lakh tokens, making him the third-highest bid of Season 6. Pune also used their RTM card to retain Nashik-based rising talent Taneesha Kotecha; Dina Meshref for 11 Lakh tokens, Reeth Rishya who played a crucial role in Goa’s title win in 2023 along with Anirban Ghosh for 4 Lakh tokens and Mudit Dani for 2.2 Lakh tokens to complete their 2025 Squad.
“We’re thrilled to have Alvaro back—his performance last season was outstanding and he brings immense experience to the table. Using the Right to Match card for Taneesha reflects our intent to build continuity. Adding Dina, Reeth, Mudit, and Anirban gives us a balanced and competitive squad. Our focus this season is not only on building a team that will represent Pune with pride but also leverages the strength of our women players, who will play a pivotal role in shaping match outcomes and our overall strategy,” said Pune Jaguars’ owner, Punit Balan.
UTT coaching veteran Vesna Ojtersek of Slovenia and Subhajit Saha will be leading the coaching roasters for the Jaguars in the Season 6.
Commenting on the auction, Co-promoter of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), Vita Dani said: “The auction has added a new layer of depth to how teams approach building their squads. It was encouraging to see equal attention given to experienced international players and young Indian talent. That balance reflects how IndianOil UTT has impacted the Indian table tennis ecosystem over the years. We’re excited for what Season 6 holds and the level of competition it promises.”
All eight teams will play five league stage matches, while the top four will qualify for the semi-finals.
The franchise-based league, co-promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India, will take place from May 29 to June 15 at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad.
PBG Pune Jaguars Squad: Alvaro Robles (Spain) – 18.1 Lakh tokens, Dina Meshref (Egypt) – 11 Lakh tokens, Taneesha Kotecha – 4 Lakh tokens (RTM), Anirban Ghosh – 4 Lakh tokens, Reeth Rishya – 4 Lakh tokens, Mudit Dani – 2.2 Lakh tokens
UTT Season 6 Auction – Top Buys
- Fan Siqi – 19.7L (Chennai Lions)
- Adriana Diaz – 19.3L (Kolkata Thunder Blades)
- Alvaro Robles – 18.1L (PBG Pune Jaguars)
- Zeng Jian – 17.2L (Goa Challengers TTC)
- Bernadette Szocs – 15.3L (U Mumba TT)
- Diya Chitale – 14.1L (Dabang Delhi TTC)
- Harmeet Desai – 14L (Goa Challengers)
About Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT)
Launched in 2017, Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) is India’s premier franchise-based table tennis league, promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the auspices of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). Today, UTT is an eight-team competition with 48 world-class players battling for the coveted title. The league continues to attract top athletes and coaches from India and around the world, boasting Olympic, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games medalists in its ranks. UTT also promotes the sport through sponsoring national ranking tournaments, the Table Tennis Super League, and co-organising the WTT events in the country. With each edition, UTT strengthens its position as a global table tennis spectacle, elevating the sport’s stature and inspiring future generations.