Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal were unable to come up with a repeat gold medal in women’s doubles squash at the Oxenford Studios show court here on Sunday.
The going was tough for the Indians right from the start against the hard-hitting New Zealand pair of Joelle King and Amanda Landers-Murphy and they ended up with a silver after an 11-9, 11-8 loss.
The Kiwis took off to take a 9-4 lead in the game before their progress was stalled. It was a gutsy show from Joshna and Dipika as they covered the gaps and closed in at 9-7. But that was to be the only best phase for the Indians as King and Landers-Murphy ran away with the game and then proceeded with their domination in the match.
“It is great that we could be in the final, we had a great chance to win. But the New Zealanders played really well and we had a few bad calls. It is disappointing, but it happens, that is sport. We still managed to get a silver after the gold in Glasgow,” said Joshna.
Dipika, however, was forthright on the contentious decisions of the referee: “There were some shocking calls and those changed the match. They need to be looked at. If they don’t, then the game will not grow. It is sad to see that the players and the game are growing, but not the officials. It is harsh for us, players.”
