Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Karthik Pallikal showed why they are such formidable names in world squash with exquisite performances that helped India shock the top seed Hong Kong and storm into the final of the Asian team squash championship being held in Chinese Taipei.
In the title round, the Indian women will once again face Malaysia and this will be an all revenge match. “The girls are gearing up for this challenge,” said national coach Cyrus Poncha on the prospects ahead. It may be recalled, Malaysia had beaten India in the group league with Delia edging out Joshna in the decider.
However, it was as different Joshna who was on view today. After Sachika Ingale failed to keep her slate clean, losing to LiuTsz Ling without much resistance, it was left to Joshna not only to shore up India's stock but inspire her colleague Dipika to touch her best.
That was the need and Joshna did not put one foot wrong in taming the Hong Kong number one Annie Au, who at rank 10 was three rungs above the India in the world. Aggression was Joshna's ploy from the start and a time came when her rival look clueless. With drives and drops, Joshna kept the tempo going to carve out a grand straight game win to keep alive India's hopes.
The onus was now on Dipika but the star player, who generally thrives on high-tension situations, began on diffident note against Joey Chan, who was the winner when the two met last two years ago in the Asian championship. The Indian led 10-8 in the first game but from the game-ball position, she lost and the inspired Hong Kong player went on to grab the next game too.
Dipika at this juncture looked a shattered lot but such is the fighting spirit in her that she returned a different player from there. Throwing in her all, exploding her drives and controlling the drops and boasts to ensure effectiveness, Dipika took the saddle and from there Joey looked the hunted.
The Indian restored parity and in the deciding fifth game, powered her way, as Poncha described, from 6-all score to leave the Hong kong player rooted there. Jubilation followed in the Indian camp as they were eager as never before to take on the Malaysians second time around, but in the title-round now.
