Veterans Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu survived some anxious moments to clinch the mixed doubles gold, but Saurav Ghosal settled for singles silver on Thursday as Indian squash players recorded their best-ever performance at the Asian Games.
Dipika and Harinder eked out a 11-10 11-10 win over Malaysian duo of Aifa Binti Azman and Mohammad Syafiq Bin Mohd Kamal in a tense 35 minute final to fetch India’s second gold medal in squash at the ongoing event.
However, it was disappointment for India’s top player Ghosal as he lost to Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, 7-11 in a little over an hour.
But that wouldn’t take sheen out of India’s brilliant outing in the squash competition in Hangzhou, where they bettered the country’s effort in the Incheon Games 2014.
India had won a historic gold in the men’s team event nine years ago, with two silver and a bronze to boot with.
However, in the ongoing Games, India has won two gold, a silver, and a bronze.
“I don’t always remember what happens on the court. It’s a blur for both of us. We only remember the last point. We are more than happy. We are very proud of the fact we are here and won gold,” Dipika said after the win.
