Face2News/Ludhiana
The intensity reached a new peak at the Manisha Constructions National Pool Championship 2026, as the Men’s 9-Ball Last 16 concluded with a mix of commanding performances and high-pressure battles, setting up a fiercely competitive quarterfinal lineup.
With stakes at their highest yet, the round delivered both statement wins and dramatic finishes, as India’s top cueists fought for a place in the final stages.
Advani Makes a Statement
India’s most decorated cueist, Pankaj Advani (PSPB), delivered one of the standout performances of the round, defeating reigning 10-Ball National Champion Shivam Arora (Maharashtra) 8–2. In a match that promised fireworks, Advani controlled the table with precision and authority, knocking out one of the tournament favorites and reinforcing his title credentials.
Nitin Sharma (Chandigarh) produced one of the most dominant displays of the day, dismantling Abhijeet Ranade (Maharashtra) 8–1 in a swift and clinical performance that lasted under 35 minutes. Coming off Ranade’s heroic comeback in the previous round, the result marked a complete turnaround, showcasing Sharma’s attacking rhythm and composure under pressure. Kushal Chandrashekhar (Karnataka) continued his strong campaign, overcoming Gagandeep Makkar (Chandigarh) 8–4 in a composed performance to advance into the quarterfinals.
The round also featured tightly contested matches with close battles keeping fans on edge. Sumit Talwar (Chandigarh) edged past Faisal Khan (RSPB) 8–7 in a nail-biting finish, Kamal Chawla (RSPB) secured a hard-fought 8–6 win over Shahbaz Adil Khan (PSPB), Shoaib Khan (Delhi) got the better ofShoaib Khan (RSPB) 8–6 in a unique same-name clash.
Several players advanced with authority: Piyush Kushwaha (Madhya Pradesh) dominated Rovin D’Souza (RSPB) 8–2, S. Shrikrishna (PSPB) cruised past Anuj Uppal (Delhi) 8–1
With the Last 8 now confirmed, the championship enters its decisive phase, where every match brings players closer to national glory.
From clinical dominance to edge-of-the-seat thrillers, the Last 16 showcased the very best of Indian pool—setting the stage for an explosive finish to the championship.