Das finished third in Heat 3 and advanced to Monday\u2019s final, keeping India\u2019s hopes alive in the event. He finished 0.63 seconds behind second-placed Japanese swimmer Hidekazu Takehara, while China\u2019s Asian record holder Xu Jiayu topped the overall standings in 52.63 seconds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Compatriot Utkarsh Patil, however, narrowly missed out on a place in the final. Patil clocked 56.19 seconds to finish sixth in his heat and 12th overall, leaving him as a reserve for the final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India endured a less encouraging outing in the men\u2019s 100m freestyle heats. Rohit Benedicton finished fifth in Heat 5 with a timing of 50.25 seconds and was 12th overall, earning a reserve spot. Akash Mani finished eighth in the same heat in 50.85 seconds and did not advance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, India enjoyed a winning start in the women\u2019s team event in table tennis, defeating Indonesia 3-0. Sreeja Akula put India ahead in the opening match before Diya Chitale extended the advantage with an 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 victory over Almaira Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Yashaswini Ghorpade then completed the sweep, defeating Citra Rasmi 12-10, 11-4, 11-4. India will next face Singapore in their Group F encounter at 12:30 PM on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Elsewhere, India enjoyed a winning start in the women\u2019s team event in table tennis, defeating Indonesia 3-0. Sreeja Akula put India ahead in the opening match before Diya Chitale extended the advantage with an 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 victory over Almaira Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Das now through to the 100m backstroke final, Indian swimming will have another opportunity to challenge for honours when the event resumes on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n