CHENNAI: Making history or getting into the record books in sport requires "discipline, flair and a never-say-die fighting spirit," believes national squash coach Cyrus Poncha. And the Indian women's squash team of Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa, Anaka Alankamony and Aparjitha Balamurukan displayed all the three qualities while making history at the Asian Team Squash Championship in Kuwait.
The third-seeded Indians shocked top seeds Hong Kong in the final to lift the women's crown on Saturday, with Joshna and Dipika outplaying higher-ranked opponents. This is the first time Indian squash players have won an Asian title, their best being third place finishes in both the men's and women's section in 2010.
However, it was a mixed day for the Indians with the men's team of Sourav Ghosal, Siddharth Suchde, Harinder Pal Sandhu and Mahesh Mangaonkar going down to Pakistan in the title clash.
But that didn't stop the Indians girls from celebrating during the awards ceremony, where they climbed up the podium wrapped in the tri-colour.
The Indians went into the final against Hong Kong as underdogs with Dipika (World No. 14) set to take on Annie Au, who is currently ranked No. 6 in the World. Joshna (World No. 71), who is coming back from an injury layoff, had the formidable task of taking on World No. 16 Joey Chan.
But Joshna, who opened the final tie for the Indians, went into the match all guns blazing, surprising Chan.
"That was our game plan too. We wanted Joshna to attack Chan and unsettle her and she just played beautifully," Poncha told TOI from Kuwait.
The match went into five games but Joshna always had the upper hand in crucial rallies.
Then Dipika came up with a disciplined effort against Au. Coach Poncha had wanted Dipika to stick to the basics and play a no-frills game against her higher-ranked opponent and the Chennai girl stuck to that game plan.
"Au is a very dangerous player. Dipika had to play her best to beat her and mistakes could not be allowed. She played a disciplined game and the win was hers," explained Poncha.
In the men's section, the Indians, who were the top-seeds of the tournament, played to their full potential according to Poncha but the Pakistanis were literally "in the zone".
"It is a bit disappointing," Poncha said. "Both Siddharth and Saurav played excellent squash, their best I have seen. But the Pakistan players - Farhan Mehboob and Farhan Zaman - were playing some outstanding squash."
In fact Mehboob, who took on Ghosal, was scoring winners at will from all over the court. But Ghosal stepped up his play too and stretched it to the fifth and deciding game but Mehboob's inspired show prevailed.
Suchde, meanwhile, began on the back foot against Zaman and came back from two games down to take the match to the decider where he faltered.
Final Results:
Women: India beat Hong Kong 2-0 (Joshna Chinappa beat Joey Chan 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-8; Dipika Pallikal beat Annie Au 11-8, 12-10, 11-8)
Men: Pakistan beat India 2-0 (Farhan Mehboob beat Saurav Ghosal 11-7, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9; Farhan Zaman beat Siddharth Suchde 11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 7-11, 11-9).
