Top 4 most famous squash players of India

Squash has mostly been a fringe sport in India with majority of people thinking it to be for the more privileged few of the country. However, the perception has changed in recent times and a strong bunch of players have come in to make India a formidable force while also increasing the awareness of the sport.

Squash is a formidable racket sport which requires years of practice and talent along with top notch stamina and athleticism. Historically, Pakistan and Egypt have been big producers of top squash players while other countries have also started taking a keen interest. Here is a clip to give you an idea about Squash:

From dating actresses and cricketers, to making the country proud due to their high rankings and big tournament wins, squash players have taken the spotlight from time to time. Here we look at the top 4 most famous squash players along with some of the accomplishments and news which have surrounded them in the past.

4. Joshna Chinappa

The current India number 1 in the women's category, Joshna has been one of the topmost Indian squash players for the past decade. Her standout performance in Glasgow with Deepika Pallikal, helped India realize a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

She is also the most recent Indian to barge into the top 10 rankings (ranked 10 in 2016). Currently ranked 17, Joshna has won a total of 7 titles and plays with a panache, which is unparalleled.

Here she plays the then world number one, Laura Massaro:

3. Saurav Ghosal

Saurav Ghosal is currently the top dog of Indian squash with a career high ranking of 15, while currently he is ranked 17th in the world. He has been a major revelation in Indian squash with no other Indian coming close to his rankings. Saurav has won 5 titles, besides one gold and one silver at the 2014 Asian Games and three bronze medals before that.

He can easily be called the flag bearer of Indian squash right now and has a lot of records to his credit. Saurav was the first Indian World number 1 at the junior level and also won the junior nationals three times. Ghosal has also reached the farthest in World Championships, making it to the quarters in 2013. Saurav married Diya Pallikal, sister of Dipika Pallikal back in 2017.

Here is one cracker of a rally from Ghosal:

2. Dipika Pallikal Karthik

Currently ranked 19, Dipika was the top ranked Indian for a long time. She has won several accolades like the Commonwealth gold (with Joshna) and bronze in singles while also winning a total of 11 titles. She progressed to the quarters of the World Open a few years ago and also has a career high ranking of 10. She was the first Indian to break into the top 10. She is also the recipient of the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri (first squash player to win this award).

Dipika also had a high profile wedding with Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik. In terms of being famous, Dipika has been right up there, making the sport known through her performances on the court.

1. Ritwik Bhattacharya

Ritwik Bhattacharya was the main man of Indian squash with the player breaking into the top 50 of the world a decade ago. He led Indian squash to a good growing momentum which was further capitalized by the young crop of Saurav Ghosal and Co.

Ritwik remains the most successful in terms of the titles won (9). He also won the national championship a record 5 times. He also partnered Saurav to the world championship doubles final way back in 2004.

After retiring, Ritwik has only become more famous. After having a relationship with popular actress Neha Dhupia, Ritwik also appeared in the TV show, 'Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi Level 3', finishing as the runner up.

Here is a clip from his match back in 2009. Notice the difference in courts and how far the game has come:

Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee