The Marvelous Murli
Murli Srinivasan can be introduced in many different ways. A scientist and a manager at one of the biggest PSUs in India. Or maybe as a Tamilian from Delhi living in Calcatta or maybe even as a chickeneterian or just as a charming gentleman. All he wants to be known as though, is a good table tennis player. And that he is.
His deceptively dangerous (and very consistent) backhand and forehand slices weave over the net and plops on to the opponent's side of the table. The unsuspecting player, or even someone who has played him a lot (like me) would, more often than not, be fooled by the amount of spin on the ball and whack it on to the net or wide. The slicing and chopping has become more potent ever since he started using a pips-out rubber. His defence - blocking from front of the table, and slices from back of the table makes him an ideal opponent for top spinners to practice against. This doesn't make him any easier to beat him in a match though. Fiercely competitive and the heart of a true sports person, he never gives in or gives up. All this makes him such a joy to play with.
Oh, did I forget to mention his backhand smash? Well, pardon me if I did. It is the most deadly in his repertoire of shots. From almost any angle and against any speed or spin he unleashes it with a slight flick of the wrists leaving opponents wondering what they did wrong. If, with some luck, someone returns it back, he's always waiting to finish it off with yet fierecer smash.
