14-time Indian National squash champion Joshna Chinappa is back in the top 20 rankings released by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) after a string of good performances by the Indian ace.
The 29-year-old, who has won two PSA titles this year at the Victorian Open and the NSCI Open, currently occupies the 20th spot. She is just one spot away from equalling her career-high ranking of 19th, which she achieved in March last year.
The Chennai squash ace is currently playing at the prestigious $50,000 Carol Weymuller Open in New York, where she has won two qualifying rounds.
Chinappa’s Commonwealth Games doubles gold medal-winning partner Dipika Pallikal is the other Indian inside the top 20 of the women’s rankings. Pallikal, who has recently come back to the Tour after her wedding to cricketer Dinesh Karthik, has dropped two spots to be placed at 19th. Dipika is also playing at the Carol Weymuller Open this week as she takes on World No. 1 Rameem El Welily of Egypt.
21-year-old Sachika Ingale is the third Indian girl inside the top 100. She is currently at a career-best 89th position.
Big jump for Kush Kumar
Among the men, fast-rising Kush Kumar is the biggest mover in the October rankings. The 2014 Junior World Championships bronze medallist climbed 24 places to be ranked 91st in the latest rankings. The 19-year-old Kumar has been coming off some impressive performances in the last few weeks that included his maiden PSA title at the Tasmanian Open.
Meanwhile, the recently-crowned Kolkata International champion Saurav Ghosal continues to be the leading Indian men’s player. The ten-time national squash champion dropped one place to occupy the 16th position.
Mahesh Mangaonkar and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu are the next-best Indians in the men’s rankings. NSCI Open runner-up Mangaonkar is 51st, while 2014 national champion Sandhu is 57th.