CHENNAI: The Indian Squash Academy keeps churning out players — to go with its reputation as the conveyer belt of squash players in the country — and the latest in line is 19-year-old Lakshya Ragavendran, who upstaged the better-seeded Aika Azman in five games to own the U-19 girls’ crown.
Until her feat on Wednesday, she was more or less obscure, toiling unnoticed in the domestic circuit to perk up her game and ranking. Hardly had anyone envisaged Lakshya of snaring the title, as her opponent was ranked 117th in the world, while she hasn’t even broken into the top-500.
But the Salem-born girl not only sprung a surprise but demonstrated that she has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Joshna Chinappa, Dipika Pallikal and Anaka Alankamony. Lakshya, herself is uncomfortable with such comparisons. “They are all my idols and I’ll give my best to make them proud. But I don’t know whether that is possible, because at my age they were already into the top-50 and were regulars in the professional circuit and had a lot more exposure at my age,” she admitted.
To put this into perspective, Dipika was already a multiple WSA champion by the time she moved out of the junior category. So were Joshna and Anaka. Presently, the professional circuit looks a horizon too far for Lakshya. “I’m also doing a course in architecture at Anna University. So I’m finding it difficult to manage both. Hopefully, in another year or so, I can handle both in a better way. But at the same time, I’m not hurrying myself into the professional circuit,” said Lakshya, who couldn’t secure an Asian Games berth.
Another up-and-coming teenager is Akanksha Salunkhe, who clinched the U-17 crown. The 13-year-old from Panaji had claimed the Dutch Open last year, and is already making heads turn with her knack of beating better-ranked players of higher age groups. “If she can keep getting better, she will definitely be a player to watch out for,” said ISA technical director Major Maniam.
En route to her title, Salunkhe withstood a stiff challenge from Cheng Nga Ching, rated the most promising teen in Hong Kong in a nerve-clanging five-gamer. She was on the brink of conceding the title, as she trailed 6-10 in the decider. But she staved off four match points to script a memorable comeback. “I can only blame myself for the situation I was in, but I was always confident of winning the match. I mixed up my game and took out all my risky shots,” she recounted with a maturity that belies her age and frame.