Saurav Ghosal shines for India in World Squash Championships

Five Indian players, including Saurav Ghosal, were competing in the 2017 PSA World Squash Championships in Manchester, UK.

But only Ghosal, the world Number 16, could progress past the first round as his compatriots struggled.

Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, Mahesh Mangaonkar, Dipika Pallikal, and Joshna Chinappa all lost out in their respective first round ties.

Saurav Ghosal, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on reaching the Quarter Finals after losing to Karim Abdel Gawad in round 3.

Gawad, himself, then lost out to the eventual 2017 PSA World Squash Championships runner-up, Marwan ElShorbagy.

But beating Marwan to the most prestigious squash title in the sport was his older brother, Mohamed ElShorbagy.

It is the first time in the tournament’s 41 year history that two brothers have competed in the final. Nevertheless, though, it is a deserved victory for Mohamed after twice being a runner-up in 2012 and 2014.

The PSA World Squash Championships win continues Mohamed ElShorbagy’s impressive recent form. He’s incredibly reached the last seven successive major tournament finals, sensationally winning six of them.

In the women’s side of the competition, meanwhile, Ranim El Welily beat the Number 1 seed, Nour El Sherbini to win herself $279’000.

Saurav Ghosal and Indian Players

Saurav Ghosal overcame the ninth seed, James Willstrop in the first round of the tournament in Manchester, UK.

And it could have been an all-India match-up in round 2. However, due to Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu’s loss to Ben Coleman, it meant that Ghosal faced the latter.

Saurav Ghosal comfortably beat Coleman 11-4, 11-3, and 11-4 to progress to the third round.

But there, he came up against one of the overall competition favourites, Karim Abdel Gawad. Despite taking the lead, Saurav Ghosal eventually lost the match 14-12, 5-11, 6-11, and 7-11.

Nevertheless, though, the tough opponent didn’t stop Ghosal from producing a moment of magic in the match. And you can see it for yourself here:

That's brilliant from @SauravGhosal ?#AJBellWorldChamps pic.twitter.com/ofazn0fw9h

— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) December 13, 2017

Also representing India in the 2017 PSA World Squash Championships were Mahesh Mangaonkar, Dipika Pallikal, and Joshna Chinappa.

All three players, though, exited the competition early after their first-round defeats.

In the men’s draw, Mangaonkar lost out to Daryl Selby, a player 60 places above the Indian in the world rankings.

Meanwhile, on the women’s side of the competition, Dipika Pallikal was narrowly beaten by Olivia Blatchford.

Pallikal twice went behind and twice pulled level. But she lost the deciding game 11-8 to lose the tie by 3 games to 2.

Joshna Chinappa also suffered first round defeat, losing to Salma Hany 9-11, 13-11, 5-11, and 9-11.

After dominating the sport in the 1980s and 90s, could Pakistan once again join India in major tournaments?