Saurav Ghosal Indian sports lovers felt sad because he was a true hero who made squash popular in India. Saurav Ghosal toady officially announced his retirement from professional squash. He decided to end his long journey on the global tour after playing for 22 amazing years. For many years, he was the face of Indian squash on the international stage. His life story is full of hard work, continuous success, and great passion for the country.
Early Life and Family Background
Saurav Ghosal was born on August 10, 1986, in Kolkata, West Bengal. He grew up in a supportive family that loved sports. His father, Prakash Ghosal, was connected with the Kolkata Racquet Club. This helped young Saurav enter the world of sports very early. He started playing squash when he was only eight years old. His mother, Nupur, always supported his studies, while his father encouraged his squash practice.
For his early education, Saurav went to Lakshmipat Singhania Academy in Kolkata. He was good at studies, but his heart was in squash. Later, he moved to Chennai to join the ICL Squash Academy for professional coaching. There, expert coaches like Major (Retired) S. Maniam and Cyrus Poncha guided him. Afterwards, he went to England to train under the famous coach Malcolm Willstrop at the Pontefract Squash Club,
Saurav Ghosal Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Saurav Ghosal |
| Date of Birth / Age | August 10, 1986 (40 years old as of 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Schooling | Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata |
| Profession | Professional Squash Player, Sports Administrator |
| Career-High World Ranking | World No. 10 (Achieved in April 2019) |
| Major Historic Milestones | • First Indian to reach the quarterfinals of the World Squash Championship (2013) • First Indian male squash player to break into the Top 10 • First Indian men's squash singles medallist at the Commonwealth Games (Bronze, 2022) |
| Asian Games Record | Secured 9 medals across multiple editions, including leading the Indian men's team to a historic Gold Medal at Incheon (2014) |
| Awards & Honors | • Arjuna Award (2007) |
| Spouse | Diya Pallikal (m. 2017) |
| Current Roles | Sports Commissioner for World Premier Squash (appointed March 2026) |
Junior Career
Saurav showed his talent when he was very young. In May 2002, he won the German Open title in the Under-17 category. Soon after, he also won the Dutch Open title. These early wins gave him big confidence to play against international players.
In 2004, Saurav created history by winning the famous British Junior Open Under-19 title. He defeated Adel El Said of Egypt in the final match. He became the first Indian ever to win this respected junior title. He also became the world number one player in the junior rankings. This victory made him a rising star in Indian sports.
National Championships
When Saurav started playing in senior tournaments, he quickly established his dominance in India. In 2006, he won his first senior National Championship in New Delhi by beating Gaurav Nandrajog. After that, there was no looking back for him.
Over his long career, Saurav won the Indian National Championship a record 13 times. Year after year, young players tried to defeat him, but Saurav remained the top national player for over a decade. His control over the game in India was absolute.
Rising to the Top 10 in the World
Saurav joined the Professional Squash Association (PSA) tour in 2003. Playing on the international tour was very tough. He had to travel to different countries and play against the best players in the world.
In 2013, he achieved another historic milestone. He reached the quarter-finals of the World Squash Championship in Manchester, England. He was the first Indian squash player to achieve this feat.
His biggest individual moment came in April 2019. Saurav reached a career-high World Ranking of No. 10. He became the first and only Indian male player to break into the Top 10 world rankings in squash. He stayed in the Top 10 for six straight months, proving his world-class consistency.
Asian Games and Commonwealth Games
Saurav Ghosal made India proud at many international multi-sport events. He won medals in five different editions of the Asian Games.
- 2006 Doha Asian Games: Won a bronze medal in singles. This was India's first-ever medal in squash at the Asian Games.
- 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games: Won bronze medals in both individual singles and team events.
- 2014 Incheon Asian Games: Won a silver medal in singles and led the Indian men’s team to a historical Gold Medal.
- 2018 Jakarta Asian Games: Won bronze medals in both singles and team events.
- 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games: Won a silver medal in singles and another Gold Medal in the team event.
Saurav also created history at the Commonwealth Games. In 2018, he won a silver medal in mixed doubles in Gold Coast. In 2022, at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, he won the Bronze Medal in men’s singles. He beat James Willstrop of England to win this medal. This was India’s first-ever singles medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games.
Awards and Recognition
Because of his great performance in squash, the Government of India honored Saurav Ghosal with the Arjuna Award in August 2007. He became the first squash player in India to receive this prestigious award. His achievements opened doors for young Indian players to dream big in squash.
Personal Life
In his personal life, Saurav is known as a humble and quiet person. On February 1, 2017, he married Diya Pallikal. Diya is the sister of Dipika Pallikal, who is another top Indian squash player married to Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik. Saurav loves listening to music and watching movies in his free time. He is also a big animal lover and enjoys spending peaceful time with his family.
Legacy
Saurav Ghosal spent over two decades on the professional squash circuit. During this time, he played more than 500 professional matches and won 11 PSA tour titles. Before Saurav, squash was not very popular in India. But through his hard work, discipline, and success, he proved that Indian athletes can compete with the best in the world. He gave Indian squash a place on the world map. Even after stepping down from professional tour matches, Saurav remains a true legend and an inspiration for every young Indian athlete.