Evergreen Joshna makes two summit clashes
Joshna Chinappa, the 19-time senior National women's champion, is going strong at 38. The way she has been playing at the ongoing National doubles championships proves that she has another year or two of squash left in her.
On Thursday, the multiple Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist, reached the National doubles finals in women's doubles, along with Anahat Singh (as the top seed), and mixed doubles with Velavan Senthilkumar (as the second seed).
'Velavan is really solid. So, it makes my job easier. And Anahat, on the forehand, is equally strong. That is a huge difference,' said Joshna, at 106, the third-highest ranked Indian after Anahat (57) and Akansha Salunkhe (71).
When asked whether she was looking forward to playing her fifth Asian Games in Japan next year, Joshna refused to be categorical. 'I'll take it month-by-month based on what tournaments are coming up. My targets are the Nationals because that's the selection criteria for the Asian Games. Playing in the Games is definitely a possibility.' she said.
The results (semifinals):
Men: Abhay Singh & Velavan Senthilkumar bt Rahul Baitha & Suraj Chand 11-4, 11-3. Guhan Senthilkumar & Ravi Dixit bt Abhay S. Vasudev & L. Meyyappan 11-2 11-4.
Women: Anahat Singh & Joshna Chinappa bt Nirupama Dubey & Shameena Riaz 11-10, 11-3; Pooja Arthi & S. Rathika bt Ananya Narayan & Anjali Semwal 11-6, 11-6.
Mixed: Abhay Singh & Anahat Singh bt Ravi Dixit & Janet Vidhi 11-6, 11-6; Velavan Senthilkumar & Joshna Chinappa bt Sandhesh & Shameena Riaz 11-4, 11-4.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Rohit Sharma recalls mother's reaction after first encounter with Cheteshwar Pujara: ‘Mom, there is a player called…'
Cheteshwar Pujara made a career out of playing the kind of grinding innings that could single-handedly drain opposition teams of all stamina and momentum, setting up many of India's most famous Test and series victories. Even in his youth cricket days, Pujara had the tenacity and ability to play such innings, that left opposing cricketers scratching their heads and in search of answers. Former Indian Test captain and the recently-retired Rohit Sharma reflected on what it was like to face such a player as a young cricketer. Speaking at the launch of The Life of a Cricketer's Wife, a book written by Pujara's wife Puja Pubari, Rohit said: 'I still remember, team meetings only revolved around him (on) how to get him out, and if we don't get him out, probably we'd lose the game.' 'All I remember is that when I used to go to the ground, when I was 14-years-old, and when I came back in the evening, the colour of my face would be completely different,' reflected Rohit. 'Because he used to bat all day and we used to field in the sun for (even) 2-3 days.' In fact, said Rohit, it got to the point that his mother would begin to be concerned about his physical health after days spent fielding against Pujara. 'I still remember that my mother asked me a couple of times that when you go to play from home, you look different and when you come home, after a week or 10 days, you look different.' 'I would say, 'Mom, what do I do? There's a batsman by the name of Cheteshwar Pujara. He's been batting for three days'… so that is the first impression that we had of him,' said Pujara's long-time teammate, who undoubtedly was happy to spend his career playing alongside the steadfast batter rather than against him. Pujara continues to soldier away in Ranji Trophy cricket for Saurashtra, and hasn't announced his international retirement, meaning he is still available for selection for the Indian Test team. Rohit, meanwhile, called a day on his career, bequeathing captaincy of the Test team to Shubman Gill and solely focusing on the ODI team at an international level.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Netherlands Secure Comeback Win Over India In European Leg Of FIH Pro League
The Netherlands secured the winning goal two minutes before the final whistle through Van Dam Thijs (58th minute), who also scored the equalizing goal in the 25th minute. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted the first penalty corner of the match in the 19th minute to give India the lead. India began the match strongly, dominating possession with crisp passing despite the Netherlands' high press. While the first eight minutes didn't pose any real threats to goal from either side, India got an opportunity soon after, as they won the ball in the Dutch circle. Dilpreet Singh's reverse hit was blocked at close range by Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser. At the other end, the Netherlands threatened late in the first quarter as Thierry Brinkman approached the right flank, but the Indian defense stood firm to avert the danger. The Netherlands came out with intent in the second quarter, with Steijn van Heijningen testing Suraj Karkera in the 17th minute, but the Indian goalkeeper blocked the effort. India responded with purpose and earned a penalty corner after Dilpreet was impeded by a stick challenge inside the circle. Captain Harmanpreet stepped up and fired a powerful, low shot to give India the lead. As the second quarter progressed, India exhibited a tight defensive formation, but the home team managed to get the breakthrough in the 25th minute with Thijs van Dam finding the equalizer, leaving the scores at 1-1 before halftime. As the second half began, India's strong passing game was central to proceedings, but the visitors struggled with a lack of clear scoring opportunities and shots on goal. To break the deadlock, India attempted to bypass the midfield with long aerial balls, but the Dutch defense was up to the task. At the other end, the Netherlands grew increasingly assertive, posing more challenges for the Indian backline, though the scores remained 1-1 after a tepid third quarter. The Netherlands had the lion's share of possession in the final quarter, and the hosts made it count. Thijs van Dam struck again in the 58th minute, making the most of a well-placed pass into the circle. With a deft first touch to control, he followed up with a fierce strike, ensuring victory for the Netherlands. India will face the Netherlands again on Monday in the second match of the European leg. India played the home leg of the ongoing Pro League in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, where they amassed 15 points with five wins in eight games.
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
India endure 1-2 defeat against Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League
Amtelveen (Netherlands), June 7 (UNI) The Indian Men's Hockey Team went down 1-2 against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 (Men's) at the Wagener Hockey Stadium here on Saturday. India's Captain Harmanpreet Singh (19') gave them the lead in a fiercely contested battle before Thijs van Dam (29', 58') registered a brace for Netherlands. The encounter marked India's first fixture of the Netherlands leg of FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 (Men's). India began the encounter on a strong note, dominating possession with crisp passing despite Netherlands' high press. While the first eight minutes didn't yield any real threats on goal from either side, India's best opportunity of the day arose, when they won the ball in the Dutch circle. Dilpreet Singh's reverse hit however was shut down at close range by Goalkeeper, Maurits Visser. At the other end, Netherlands threatened late in the quarter as Thierry Brinkman approached the right flank, but the Indian defence stood firm to avert the danger. The Netherlands came out with intent in the second quarter, with Steijn van Heijningen testing Suraj Karkera in the 17th minute, only for the Indian goalkeeper to block the effort away. India responded with purpose and were rewarded with a penalty corner after Dilpreet Singh was impeded by a stick challenge inside the circle. Captain Harmanpreet Singh stepped up and fired a powerful, low shot to give India the lead. As the quarter progressed, India exhibited a tight defensive formation, but the home team managed to breakthrough in the 24th minute with Thijs van Dam finding the equaliser leaving the scores at 1-1 before half-time. As the second half began India's strong passing game was at the centre of proceedings, but the visitors were encumbered by a lack of clear scoring opportunities and shots on goal. To break the deadlock, India looked to bypass the midfield with long aerial balls, but the Dutch defence were up to the task. At the other end, the Netherlands grew increasingly assertive, posing more questions of the Indian backline, though the deadlock remained intact at 1–1 after a tepid third quarter. Netherlands had the lion's share of possession in the final quarter, and the hosts made it count. Thijs van Dam struck again in the 58th minute, making the most of a well-placed pass into the circle. With a deft first touch to control, he followed up with a fierce strike, ensuring victory for Netherlands. India will be in action again when they take on Netherlands again on the June 9. All the FIH Pro League 2024-25 matches will be streamed live on Jio Hotstar and broadcast on Star Sports Select 2. UNI BM
