Noida :

Squash star Joshna Chinappa equalled Bhuvneshwari Kumari’s record of 16 national titles while Mahesh Mangaonkar won his maiden crown on the concluding day of the premier domestic event at the HCL campus here on Sunday.

In the two contrasting finals, Mahesh pipped Vikram Malhotra 11-4, 13-15, 11-2, 5-11, 15-13 while Joshna edged out Urwashi Joshi 9-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-5.

In comparison to the gruelling battle in the men’s final, Joshna had it easier though Urwashi Joshi of Maharashtra did surprise her by taking the first game.

As it turned out, the dent Joshna suffered was more of an aberration. The reigning champion ensured the ride was smooth from there on en route a record equalling crown.

The 32-year-old said it was always special to come back to the Nationals, where she won her maiden title as a 14-year-old. Overall, Joshna has played in a staggering 18 finals, losing just two of them.

“There is a funny story behind this. When I was 12, my father told me that ‘you have to win your first national title before you turn 16’ and I did it at 14. The plan at that point was to win as many Nationals as I could. For me, playing the Nationals is more about reliving the child in me every since I played my first as a 12 year old,” Joshna told .

Her achievements on the international stage easily eclipse Kumari’s feats and now Joshna wants to break her national record.

“Yes I do want to have the maximum number of titles, I am not going to lie abut that. It is nice to equal her record. To be here after 20 years in the sport, is a testament to the work I have done,” said the world number 15.

Joshna has dominated the National Championships over the last two decades but has also had some tough battles with Mekhala Subedar and longtime teammate Dipika Pallikal, who is not a regular at the domestic event.

“My biggest battles have been with Mekhala and Dipika. Everyone loves watching Dipika and me play. Shame she is not here,” added Joshna, who initially struggled to sight the ball in sunlight during the final played on a glass court.

In the men’s final, Mahesh outwitted Vikram Malhotra in a five game tussle of fluctuating fortunes.

Vikram had three match points to settle the argument but failed to grab them. A final can always be tense and Mahesh and Vikram displayed that no less. A year ago in a PSA event, the only occasion when the two had met on the professional circuit, Vikram had edged Mahesh, again over five games.

BS PDS PDS
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> The News Scroll December 16th, 2018

MS Dhoni and Sakshi had tied the knot in 2010 and have a three-year old daughter named Ziva.

HIGHLIGHTS

– Sakshi Dhoni recently celebrated her 30th birthday with family and friends in Mumbai

– Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and Robin Uthappa were also in attendance at the party

– Sakshi thanked Uthappa and others who attended the birthday bash
_________________________

Sakshi Dhoni has “thanked” Robin Uthappa for bringing her and MS Dhoni together. Dhoni and Sakshi had tied the knot in 2010 and have a three-year old daughter named Ziva.

Sakshi recently celebrated her 30th birthday with family and some close friends in Mumbai.

Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and Robin Uthappa were also in attendance at the party.

Ziva was once again the star attraction of the party while Sakshi was seen cutting the cake with another individual, who shared his birthday with Sakshi.

Playback singer Rahul Vaidya entertained the crowd singing some hit Bollywood and Hindi numbers. Sakshi and Pandya also joined Vaidya in singing ‘Channa Mereya’ from the film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

After the party, Sakshi thanked everyone who attended the birthday bash and there was also a special mention of Uthappa in one of her posts.

“Thanks to this man here, Mahi and I are together!!! It was great meeting you Robbie and Sheethal…Thank you guys for coming and lot’s of cuddles to the little one! And Sheethal you looking Hot as ever,
__________________________
Sakshi wrote on her post on Instagram.

INSTAGRAM

sakshisingh_r

Thanks to this man here Mahi n i r together ❤️!!! It was great meeting u Robbie and Sheethal … Thank u guys for coming and lot’s of cuddles to the lil one ! And Sheethal you looking HoT as ever! 😘 and just to clear out to people mahi n r not childhood friends n first time i stepped into Ranchi was after marriage !
___________________________________

Uthappa played a key role in India’s inaugural World Twenty20 triumph in South Africa in 2007. The 33-year-old is also an important member of Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

Dhoni is currently on an international break after he was left out of the Twenty20 squad for a three-match series in Australia starting November 21.

2018 has been Dhoni’s worst year in international cricket since he sensationally announced his arrival. In 19 matches this year, Dhoni managed to score only 275 runs with a highest score of 42 not out.

With the 2019 ICC World Cup a few months away, Dhoni’s form with the bat is the biggest cause for concern for the Indian cricket team.

Despite not scoring runs, Dhoni remains an important member in the team because of his experience and is still the best person in the team to take decisive decisions in crunch situations, as we have all seen in the past couple of years since he gave up captaincy.

His judgment with the Decision Review System (DRS) is unparalleled and if often seen changing the fields and sharing the tricks of the trade with Kohli during matches.

Dhoni has only a handful of ODIs left to prove his doubters wrong before India decide on their core group for the 2019 ICC World Cup.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Sports> Cricket / New Delhi – November 22nd, 2018