History in Squash as India bags twin gold medals at the World Doubles Championships

It was history for India at the World Doubles Squash Championships in Glasgow on Saturday as Dipika Pallikal combined with Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa to clinch twin gold medals for the country in mixed and women's doubles respectively.

Back in the squash court after a gap of almost four years, Dipika Pallikal was at her absolute best on the day first with Ghosal and later with Chinappa.

Up against the fourth seeds Adrian Waller and Alison Waters in the mixed doubles final, Pallikal and Ghosal led 8-1 at some point in the first game before their opponents made a brief comeback.

The English duo gave it their all, but fell short at 6-11, 8-11 to hand India their first-ever gold medal at the World Doubles Squash Championships,

Just an hour after clinching the mixed doubles world title, Pallikal, who gave birth to a twins just six months back, was back on the court for the women's doubles final alongside Chinappa. They were up against Sarah-Jane Perry and Alison Waters of England.

The Indians started off well in the first game before Perry and Waters tried to force their way back into the contest. The Indians, however, prevailed to win a hard fought second game 11-9.

The wounded English duo came back with some fiery shots as the Pallikal and Chinappa crumbled under their relentless attack to concede the second game tamely at 4-11.

Some words of wisdom by the Indian coach post the second game seemed to have worked wonders for India as Pallikal-Chinappa stayed patient throughout the relentless attacks from their opponents and forced them to make the errors. The Indians eventually won the third game 11-8 to bag their second-ever gold medal at the World Doubles Squash Championships, just a couple of hours after their first.