CWG 2018: Squash stars Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa happy with a podium finish but rue refereeing standards

Joshna Chinappa, left, and Dipika Pallikal (Image: Twitter / @DipikaPallikal)

Chennai: India's leading squash players, Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal, returned to a warm welcome here late on Monday night after winning silver medals at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Gold Coast.

Defending champions Joshna and Dipika had to settle for a silver in the women's doubles competition. Dipika also won a historic silver in mixed doubles with Saurav Ghosal.

"As defending champions, the thought of the past glory did come to the mind," said Joshna, who had won a gold medal in the Glasgow Games in 2014 with Dipika.

"Four years since (then), much has happened in squash. We were there on the podium then and the goal was not to miss that moment again. To that extent, it was a satisfactory finish," she said. 

"We are encouraged to work harder for the next big challenge - the Asian Games in August," she added.

Dipika said the big satisfaction was that they had not come back empty-handed. The duo, however, felt refereeing could have been a lot better at the Games. 

"After the final, even the New Zealand players agreed with us in this matter," Joshna said.

Despite arriving at a late hour, the returning squash players were pleasantly surprised at the enthusiastic welcome.

"We are more than surprised at this reception," said Joshna. 

Harinder Pal Sandhu and national coach Cyrus Poncha also returned with the medal-winning duo. The coach said it was an excellent result as the teams had come through tough encounters at the quarterfinal stage.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had on Monday announced cash incentives for the medal winners, including Joshna (Rs 30 lakh), Dipika (Rs 60 lakh) and Ghosal (Rs 30 lakh).

Also, table tennis players Sharath Kamal (gold in team, bronze in men's singles and silver in men's doubles) and G Sathiyan (gold in team, silver in men's doubles and bronze in mixed doubles) will receive cash awards.