Anahat Singh, 18, is lined up to chase gold at the Asian Games, guided by former world No.1 Saurav Ghosal.
Ghosal, who last played in 2002, brings nine medals to the sidelines—two gold, two silver, five bronze—and admits his biggest regret is missing a singles gold.
The straight‑knockout format leaves no room for error; Ghosal stresses a laser focus on every rally, saying, "You need to be laser‑focused; one bad day can wreck the whole event."
Instead of tweaking her game, Ghosal urges tactical clarity against each opponent, telling Anahat, "It’s about knowing who you’re facing and how to counter them." He adds that the stakes are higher than ever, as a gold medal grants direct qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Indian squad will face tough Chinese and Malaysian players in the quarter‑finals, making every match a must‑win and a chance to secure India’s top spot in the continental squash rankings.
Anahat’s journey to the final will not only be a personal triumph but also a stepping‑stone for India’s Olympic ambitions.