Suggestions for a new racket

Hey, I wanted advice on what TT bat I should get. I am a returning player who has competed in nationals about 7 years ago. The bat I had back then was a Jonyer H2 wood, shakehand grip with Yasaka Mark V black rubber and a Butterly XL red rubber. I still have the bat, but the rubber's bounces are dead. Could you help me please?

Hi Akhil,

It's great that you're getting back into table tennis after a break and looking to upgrade your equipment. Since you've played at a high national level, you'll want a racket that can provide you with a good balance of control, spin, and speed, given your previous experience. Since you've previously used the Yasaka Mark V and Butterfly XL, if you were comfortable with those rubbers, you could certainly consider re-using them or their modern equivalents. The Yasaka Mark V is known for being a classic rubber that provides excellent control and decent spin and speed, which makes it a great choice for players who are looking to get back into the sport after a break and want to regain their feel and touch. However, technology and materials have come a long way in 7 years, and there are now many newer options available in the market. Here are some suggestions that you might find appropriate:

Since you previously used a Jonyer H2 wood blade, which probably offered you a good level of feel and control, look for an all-wood blade or a blade that has a small amount of carbon if you want to add a bit more speed without sacrificing too much control. Blades such as the Stiga Allround Classic, Butterfly Timo Boll ALC, or VIS Butterfly Viscaria offer a good range of control to offensive capabilities, depending on your preference.

Since you had the Butterfly XL, a similar modern rubber might be something like the Butterfly Rozena. It's a balanced rubber that offers good spin and speed without being too aggressive, making it a good transitional rubber for those coming back to the sport.