The last 10 days have been a rollercoaster ride for Saurav Ghosal. The 35-year-old, who teamed up with Dipika Pallikal to pocket the mixed doubles gold at the World doubles squash championships in Glasgow on Saturday, could have given the event a miss due to injury.
In the lead up to the tournament, Saurav suffered a tear in his right adductor but still decided to give it a shot at the very last minute. “It was a Grade 1 tear. I wasn’t going to play the event initially but chose to go for it in the end,” Saurav told TOI.
Not only was Saurav not 100% fit, but he also had a partner in Dipika Pallikal who was making a comeback into the top-flight circuit after over three years. “It was a challenge because in doubles — you play not only for yourself but for your partner as well. But knowing Dipika — she would do whatever it takes to give her best on court,” Saurav added.
The two started their campaign with a hard-fought 11-7, 10-11, 11-6 win over New Zealand’s Evan Williams and Kaitlyn Watts. In their very next game, the seasoned Indian pair lost to the Scottish pair of Greg Lobban and Lisa Aitken (11-6, 11-4). “The Scottish pair played very well and it was an eye-opener for us to recalibrate our plans. We (me and Dipika) kept motivating each other right through the tournament and chalked out our plans going forward,” said Saurav. The two got back to winning ways with a 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 victory over Malaysian pair — Mohammad Syafiq Kamal and Aifa Azman. They received a walkover in the subsequent clash against Wales’ Peter Creed and Emily Whitlock.
Once the two got into the groove, the knockout matches proved to be a breeze. Having lost in the World doubles final before, Saurav and Dipika appeared to have clearcut plans for each of their opponents. “We had tasted defeat in the world doubles final in 2016. But this time, there was more clarity in our thought processes and we were able to execute our plans much better. Yes, there are areas where we can get better but it’s special to have won this medal,” stressed Saurav.
Dipika revealed how Saurav kept her motivated to make a comeback into the sport. “It’s been a long journey for me and I’m quite excited to be playing with Saurav. He kept pushing me from wherever he was in the world. Of course, my husband, my parents and in-laws kept pushing me as well,” mentioned Dipika.
In the lead up to the tournament, Saurav suffered a tear in his right adductor but still decided to give it a shot at the very last minute. “It was a Grade 1 tear. I wasn’t going to play the event initially but chose to go for it in the end,” Saurav told TOI.
Not only was Saurav not 100% fit, but he also had a partner in Dipika Pallikal who was making a comeback into the top-flight circuit after over three years. “It was a challenge because in doubles — you play not only for yourself but for your partner as well. But knowing Dipika — she would do whatever it takes to give her best on court,” Saurav added.
The two started their campaign with a hard-fought 11-7, 10-11, 11-6 win over New Zealand’s Evan Williams and Kaitlyn Watts. In their very next game, the seasoned Indian pair lost to the Scottish pair of Greg Lobban and Lisa Aitken (11-6, 11-4). “The Scottish pair played very well and it was an eye-opener for us to recalibrate our plans. We (me and Dipika) kept motivating each other right through the tournament and chalked out our plans going forward,” said Saurav. The two got back to winning ways with a 11-9, 7-11, 11-9 victory over Malaysian pair — Mohammad Syafiq Kamal and Aifa Azman. They received a walkover in the subsequent clash against Wales’ Peter Creed and Emily Whitlock.
Once the two got into the groove, the knockout matches proved to be a breeze. Having lost in the World doubles final before, Saurav and Dipika appeared to have clearcut plans for each of their opponents. “We had tasted defeat in the world doubles final in 2016. But this time, there was more clarity in our thought processes and we were able to execute our plans much better. Yes, there are areas where we can get better but it’s special to have won this medal,” stressed Saurav.
Dipika revealed how Saurav kept her motivated to make a comeback into the sport. “It’s been a long journey for me and I’m quite excited to be playing with Saurav. He kept pushing me from wherever he was in the world. Of course, my husband, my parents and in-laws kept pushing me as well,” mentioned Dipika.
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