Absence of long-time national coach looms over Indian squash contingent at CWG 2014

Indian squash player Dipika Pallikal

Following the gymnastics example

One sport that was expected to tread the ‘oblivion’ path at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games but instead sprang a mighty surprise, grabbing all the eyeballs, was gymnastics. One man – Ashish Kumar – catapulted himself into public limelight to ensure that Indian sports fans would at least remember that this sport is very much alive and kicking.

At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, squash will be harbouring hopes of walking a similar path and in the process end India’s medal drought from the sport at the Games. India can genuinely hope for a podium finish from the six-member squash contingent with the likes of world number 10 Sourav Ghosal and world number 16 Dipika Pallikal in the fray. If form book is anything to go by, any player ranked in the top 16 can back himself to produce a podium finish.

The coach controversy

The Indian squash contingent has spawned a fair amount of controversy with long-standing national coach Cyrus Poncha being cold-shouldered for the Glasgow event. Poncha has been serving as a national coach for more than a decade – interestingly, he was part of the national side which participated in the Asian Team Championships last month.

The coaching duties and support services are being taken care of by foreign coach Subramanian Singaraveloo of Malaysia, female coach Bhuvneshwari Kumari and physiotherapist Graeme Everard. One hopes the absence of Poncha will not significantly impact the morale of the players, who are accustomed to his presence in all international tourneys.

An easy draw could help bring glory

The fourth-seeded Ghosal should have it easy till the quarterfinal stage, where he would meets eighth-seeded Malaysian Ong Beng Hee. But Ghosal’s real test will likely come against England`s second seed James Willstrop in the semifinals. If Ghosal, who lost in the third round in the 2010 edition, crosses that hurdle, he can seriously have a shot at glory.

Two other Indians in the men’s singles fray - Harinder Pal Sandhu and Mahesh Mangaonkar - are not expected to set the Thames on fire, but will still look to put up a decent showing.

Sixth-seeded Pallikal, who gave the 2010 edition a miss at the last minute owing to fever, is undoubtedly India’s best medal bet in the women’s singles, with Joshana Chinappa and Anaka Alankamony not being considered serious medal contenders.

There is a strong feeling that India’s medal chances are also bright in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, and it remains to be seen whether the team that is missing the absence of long-time national coach for reasons not known in the public domain have their day under the sun.