The Indian squash duo of Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu clinched a gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the Asian Games 2023. Their remarkable victory came after a hard-fought final against Malaysia’s Aifa Binti Azman and Mohammad Syafiq Bin Mohd Kamal. The Indian pair emerged victorious in straight games, winning 11-10, 11-10 in a closely contested match that lasted just 35 minutes.
The mixed doubles final proved to be a nail-biting encounter, with both teams giving their all. Malaysia held the upper hand in the first game, but India showed remarkable resilience, making a stunning comeback to win the game 11-10 by just one point.
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The second game saw India take a commanding 9-3 lead, only to allow Malaysia to mount a comeback and level the score. However, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu’s composure proved crucial as he secured two vital points, ensuring India’s victory and their 20th gold medal at the Asian Games.
๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐!๐
Our dynamic mixed doubles team of @DipikaPallikal and @sandhu_harinder clinches GOLD, defeating Malaysia by a score of 2-0 in the final at #AsianGames2022!๐ฅ๐ฅณ
Join us in celebrating this golden achievement and sendingโฆ pic.twitter.com/d1GiaRVh4q
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) October 5, 2023
Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu’s journey to gold was marked by exceptional performances. In the semifinals, they faced the Hong Kong duo of Lee Ka Yi and Wong Chi Him. Although they lost the first set 7-11, the Indian pair showcased their tenacity and skill, winning the second game 11-7 decisively.
India’s success in squash at the Asian Games didn’t end with Dipika and Harinder’s gold medal. Saurav Ghosal, another accomplished Indian squash player, assured India of yet another medal in the men’s singles squash competition. In the semifinals, Ghosal displayed his dominance, defeating Hong Kong’s Chi Hin Henry Leung in straight sets with scores of 11-2, 11-1, 11-6.
Ghosal’s stellar performance also played a pivotal role in India’s gold medal win in the men’s team squash event against arch-rivals Pakistan. The Indian men’s team emerged triumphant, defeating Pakistan 2-1 in the final, further solidifying India’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of squash.
Dipika Pallikal and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu’s gold medal triumph in the mixed doubles at the Asian Games 2023 is a testament to their exceptional talent and unwavering determination. Their victory showcases the strength of Indian squash on the international stage and adds to India’s growing medal tally at the Games.
With Saurav Ghosal’s assured medal in the men’s singles and the men’s team’s gold medal win, Indian squash has shone brightly at the Asian Games, demonstrating the country’s prowess in this exciting sport. As these athletes continue to make their mark, they inspire a new generation of squash enthusiasts and leave an indelible mark on India’s sporting history.
