Saurav Ghoshal created history when he became the first Indian squash player to win a Commonwealth Games singles medal when he beat England’s James Willstrop 11-6, 11-1, 11-4 to win the bronze medal on Wednesday (August 3).
Saurav was unstoppable from the word go. He made his intentions very clear with his trademark shots – laden with power and precise angles. Willstrop, the local favorite, couldn’t muster good placement shots as the agile Indian had answers to all of his questions.
Such was Saurav’s dominance on the night that he won 33 points out of the 44 played against the 2018 gold medal winner, reducing him to a mere spectator for most parts of the game.
The 35-year-old Indian breezed through the first set 11-6 and took off on a different level from there on. His deft touches and good court coverage meant Willstrop was reduced to a mere spectator for most of the second set.
After winning the second set 11-1, there was only one way the match could proceed. It kept to script as Saurav Ghoshal was relentless in attack. The England player tried to stage a comeback but Saurav was too hot to handle on his day as he closed out the third set at 11-4 to go into the annals of Indian squash history.
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Fans hail Saurav Ghoshal after historic win
Fans from all quarters took to social media to congratulate the Indian on his historic win.
Many drew parallels between how Dinesh Karthik and Saurav Ghoshal, who are related to each other in extended family circles, are peaking and creating history with exuberent performances at the age of 35. Saurav Ghoshal is married to Dia, Dipika Pallikal’s sister, who is married to cricketer Dinesh Karthik.
Here are some of the reactions:
2013 – First Indian to reach Quarter Finals of World Championships
2022 – First Indian to win CWG Individual Medal
Running the show since ages, SAURAV LEGEND GHOSHAL for you! twitter.com/SportsArena123…
Saurav, in a hunt for India’s first CWG Singles medal put on a super show taking down Defending Champion and Willstrop 🏴 11-6 11-1 11-4 to win Bronze!
2nd CWG medal for the Indian Legend!
SAURAV GHOSHAL – THE FACE, THE PRIDE & NOW THE EPITOME OF INDIAN SQUASHSaurav, in a hunt for India’s first CWG Singles medal put on a super show taking down Defending Champion and Willstrop 🏴 11-6 11-1 11-4 to win Bronze!2nd CWG medal for the Indian Legend! https://t.co/Vgraw4Cajm
2006 – First Indian to win Asian Games Medal 2013 – First Indian to reach Quarter Finals of World Championships2022 – First Indian to win CWG Individual MedalRunning the show since ages, SAURAV LEGEND GHOSHAL for you! twitter.com/SportsArena123…
SAURAVVV GHOSALLLL. The 35 year old veteran wins Bronze to win 🇮🇳 first ever squash single’s medal in Commonwealth Games history. He came with a mission and was on 🔥 in a pretty dominant display that he just lost 1 point in the 2nd game. #CWG22 @SauravGhosal #Squash #Bronze
@DiggySinghDeo @SauravGhosal IMO among the top 5 racquet sport atheletes India has ever produced. Sindhu, Saina, Sania, Leander/Padukone and Ghosal. What a legendary player. It was great to see his dad and wife too in the crowd. Anyway Doubles n mixed he will get gold. His short game was on fire this week.
One of many under-appreciated sporting heroes of India. Probably the greatest squash player to come out of India. Well played champ!
So heartening to see @SauravGhosal winning the bronze medal in the men’s singles. One of many under-appreciated sporting heroes of India. Probably the greatest squash player to come out of India. Well played champ! ✌👏#CWG2022India #Birmingham2022
Relatives – that too – DK & Ghosal
WTF!!!🤣🤣🤣
No wonder both are making comebacks & giving excellent performances @ the age of 35+ 🫡🫡🫡
Saurav Ghosal & Dinesh Karthik are साडू….Relatives – that too – DK & GhosalWTF!!!😅🤣🤣🤣No wonder both are making comebacks & giving excellent performances @ the age of 35+ 🫡🫡🫡
India’s Saurav Ghosal beats James Willstrop of England to win a bronze medal in men’s singles squash. This is India’s first-ever CWG medal in singles. #CommonwealthGames2022
New record before we go to sleep… One more 🥉 bronze medal for India 🇮🇳 first ever singles medal in #CWG for India. This one is men’s singles squash. We are proud of you Saurav Ghosal. Keep going for gold next time.. All the best. Jai Ho. twitter.com/ANI/status/155…
@VPSecretariat @SauravGhosal Congrats champ 🇮🇳❤️❤️Legend❤️First ever medal in squash and lawn bowls Hope many take up these games and produce excellent result in futureSpecial mention to our 14 year old girl Anahat Singh who won first game in CWG 2022Many more to come 🇮🇳🇮🇳way to go girl❤️❤️
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This must be the first time @SauravGhosal showed any kind of emotion throughout these Games. First Indian to win an individual gold at the CWG in squash at the age of 35. Take a bow legend! (Pic credit: Paul Ellis/AFP) #CWG #CWG2022India https://t.co/o5ytomRdEw
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