New Delhi:
Squash has never been a medal contributor for India at the Commonwealth Games but with some in-form players making waves internationally, the jinx could be broken this time when the mega-event is held here from October 3.
Ever since its introduction in the Commonwealth Games in 1998, squash has been one of the low-profile events for India but with the likes of Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal and Siddharth Suchde, the country can aim for a medal haul in the doubles and mixed doubles categories at the Siri Fort Sports Complex.
Ranked 26th in the world and India's top player Saurav Ghosal is realistic about his chances in the men's singles event but believes India can pack a punch when it comes to team events.
The notable omission of former India number one Ritwik Bhattacharya from the squad also makes Ghosal's task a bit harder in the individual event where the field comprises England, Malaysia and Australia, considered to be traditional powerhouses in the sport.
"In the singles event, I need to pull off a couple of upsets in order to advance to the later stages. I am confident of doing that in front of the home crowd. May be I would be playing world number 12 or world number one in the pre-quarters. I think the draw will make a lot of difference," the 24-year-old Kolkata player said.
"In mixed-doubles and doubles, the Indians have a good shot at the medal. I would be playing with Dipika in the mixed and we have done pretty well in recent past. Harinder Pal Sandhu will line-up with Joshna Chinappa in another mixed doubles pairing. They have also done great.
"So we have bright chances in that category. In doubles, Joshna-Dipika pack a punch. They are simply great in their equation," said Ghosal.
The entire 10-member contingent is taking part in the event for the first time and coach Cyrus Poncha feels the they have the ability to produce good results in front of the home crowd.
"India have never won a Commonwealth Games medal. We do hope this year we will be able to change this record," said Poncha.
"But it all depends on a favourable draw in the singles event. We have players like Ghosal and Dipika who can pull off some upsets in the individual category. But I am confident of a medal haul in mixed and doubles events. All players have been training hard and are in a positive mindset ahead of the Games," Poncha added.
In the Delhi Games, the squash competition will feature five events - singles (men and women), doubles (men and women) and mixed doubles -- and will have 15 medals at stake.
India will have to ward off some stiff challenge from English and Aussie players to win a medal in the Games.
The main attractions in the men's category will be England's Nick Matthew, James Willstrop, Peter Barker and Daryl Selby ranked among the top 10 in the world respectively.
Australians are also not far behind with world number 12 David Palmer and number 16 Cameron Pilley also in good nick in the international circuit.
In the women's section, Nicole David, world number one from Malaysia, England's Jenny Duncaff and Australia's Rachel Grinham will be tough nuts to crack for the Indians.
But the home team, led by Dipika (world no 33) and Joshna (34), who have regularly come up with heartening performances at both national and international events, is confident of a good showing in the event.
"The preparation has been good. We will put our best foot forward," said Chinappa.
The Indian duo won an invitational tournament in Manchester this year and from there on, started taking the doubles game more seriously.
They beat the Australian duo of Kasey Brown and Donna Urquhart in the final of the ESR International doubles championship in Manchester.
While Chinappa won the German Open on the WISPA Pro tour in May this year, Dipika won the WISPA Indian challenger this year and reached the finals of the Cairo Open event in Egypt.
The squash event will take place from Oct 4-13 at the Siri Fort Complex.
Squash was added in the Games Programme in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.