Joshna to lead Indian squash team

Joshna Chinappa, along with Anaka Alankamony, Aparajitha Balamurukan Sachika Ingale and Harshit Kaur Jawanda will be representing India who will be without their highest-ranked player Dipika Pallikal in the World Women's Team Championship squash to be held in Canada from Dec 1 to 6.

Pallikal has decided to opt out and informed national coach Cyrus Poncha accordingly through emails, said a Squash Rackets Federation of India press release Tuesday.

Poncha had sought the availability of all those players who had served the national team with distinction in the Asian Games for the World championship selection trials.

Accordingly, Chinappa, Alankamony and Balamurukan responded with acceptance emails, but Pallikal remained silent. Consequent to her decision to opt out, Pallikal stands to lose all government funding.

The selection committee, comprising Poncha and consultant coach, S. Maniam then picked the team following a round of trials, the release added.