Dipika Pallikal Successfully Brings Squash Into The Limelight

Braving loneliness, new cultures and rigorous schedules, 23-year-old Dipika Pallikal has lived in different continents to pursue her passion for her sport. Undeterred by harsh losses and unexpected challenges, Indias top female squash player has successfully brought the individual sport into the limelight. Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena spends time with the sports star who, looking forward to her marriage with cricketer Dinesh Karthik, is gunning for the top spot in her game.

- Shraddha Jahangirdar-Saxena

An early morning start to a day is nothing new to 23-year-old Dipika Pallikal, India’s squash ace who has air-dashed to Mumbai a day before we are to meet her. She completes her regular workout in the morning at the MCA Recreation Centre and then — Mumbai rains notwithstanding — is at the appointed destination on the dot. Clad in a well-fitting pair of jeans and a loose T-shirt, Pallikal’s stride is casual and easygoing — her killer instinct and the aggression needed to win seemingly dormant or perhaps reserved only for the action on the squash courts.

As she walks towards the plush and expansive Roche Bobois store showroom in India bulls Finance Centre, Lower Parel, a few heads turn to glance at the tall girl — later, during the day, as she does quicksilver changes for our camera, the excitement outside increases as curious onlookers peer for a closer look at the sports star.

The gentle palette of the outfits captures her in a soft mood, one that befits a girl who is reportedly poised to tie the knot this month. For, as the news goes, an August wedding is on the cards for Pallikal and cricketer Dinesh Karthik. Naturally, I set the conversational ball rolling by asking her about her forthcoming nuptials. On what drew the two sports players together, Pallikal says, “I’ve known Dinesh for a long time. Being athletes in Chennai our paths crossed at a few functions. But, we met again after a really long time at a gym, got to know each other and that is how it all started.”