London: Indian men staged a spirited comeback to edge past Slovakia 3-2 in a gripping Group 7 tie at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships here.

With the win, India climbed to the top of the group standings and strengthened their position ahead of their next tie against Guatemala.

Slovakia drew first blood as Lubomir Pistej, ranked 149, used his experience to outmanoeuvre Manush

Shah, ranked No. 51, in a five-game opener 11-8 5-11 8-11 11-5 11-6, handing his side an early lead.