The Manisha Constructions National Pool Championship 2026 concluded in Ludhiana with a landmark moment in Indian cue sports, as Pankaj Advani (PSPB) captured the Men’s 9-Ball National Title in his very first appearance in the discipline.
In a high-quality final against Nitin Sharma (Chandigarh), the match began on even footing with both players locked at 4–4. However, Advani’s experience and control came to the fore as he shifted momentum decisively, pulling away to secure an emphatic 11–5 victory.
The win marks a significant addition to Advani’s decorated career, reinforcing his stature as one of India’s greatest cueists while showcasing his adaptability across formats.
Podium Finishers – Men’s 9 Ball
Pankaj Advani (PSPB)
Nitin Sharma (CHD)
S. Shrikrishna (PSPB)
Kushal Chandrashekhar (KAR)
In the 3rd/4th place playoff, Shrikrishna secured the bronze with a convincing 7–2 win over Kushal Chandrashekhar.
Junior Girls: Shruthi Edges Tight Final
The Junior Girls 9-Ball Championship delivered a closely contested final, with L. Shruthi (Tamil Nadu) overcoming Natasha Chethan (Karnataka) 6–4.
Shruthi maintained composure in key moments to clinch the title in what proved to be a competitive battle between two of India’s promising young players.
Final Standings – Junior Girls
L. Shruthi (TN)
Natasha Chethan (KAR)
Jiya Sehgal (PUN)
Sanvi Shah (MP)
Junior Boys: Aarav Sancheti Emerges Champion
In the Junior Boys 9-Ball category, Aarav Sancheti (Maharashtra) delivered a consistent and dominant performance throughout the knockout stages to secure the national title.
He defeated Laksh Sharma (Karnataka) in the final, capping off an impressive run.
Final Standings – Junior Boys
Aarav Sancheti (MAH)
Laksh Sharma (KAR)
Mayur Garg (RSPB)
Rehaan Misra (DEL)
Championship Highlights
The championship witnessed:
Participation from players across India competing at the highest level
A blend of experienced champions and emerging talent
High-pressure knockout matches and dramatic comebacks
Strong performances across junior and senior categories
Advani’s debut triumph remains the defining storyline of the event, symbolizing both excellence and versatility at the highest level of cue sports.
Following the successful conclusion of the Men’s 9-Ball and Junior categories, the Manisha Constructions National Pool Championship 2026 has now moved into its next phase with the Senior Women’s 9-Ball Championship commencing today, alongside the ongoing Men’s 10-Ball competition.
The Senior Women’s 9-Ball category officially got underway today, bringing together some of India’s top female cueists competing for national honors.
With a strong field expected, the category promises high-quality matchups and an exciting pathway to the finals in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Men’s 10-Ball Championship continues in full flow, with the double elimination stage currently underway.
Early rounds have already seen a mix of dominant wins and competitive encounters, as players look to position themselves strongly ahead of the knockout stages.
With several top names in contention, the 10-Ball event is shaping up to be a closely fought battle.
With multiple categories now running simultaneously, the championship continues to deliver non-stop action, showcasing both elite-level competition and emerging talent across divisions.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, attention will now shift towards:
Key matchups in the Women’s 9-Ball category
Qualification battles in the Men’s 10-Ball event
The race toward knockout stages across categories
Photo Caption:
L-R: L.Shruti, Pankaj Advani and Aarav Sancheti.
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