Pradhan wants to be a regular on Pro circuit

Former top-ranking junior squash player in India, Abhishek Pradhan has decided to turn full time professional. The 24-year-old Borivali resident was away for four years, resumed playing odd tournaments last year. However, Abhishek got into serious training only this year.

“I started full training six months ago and a month ago I decided to turn professional. My first PSA (Professional Squash Association) tournament was Closed Satellite in Qatar which I won and after that I played similar tournament in Singapore, in which I came third,” he says.

Abhishek who was a regular at the circuit in his junior days went to the US to study Economics and Management in Franklin & Marshall College for three years. He later came back two years ago to help his father with his pharmaceutical business.

“I used to play there (in US) but not professionally. I wanted to join my dad in his business but I love this sport, so I decided to make a comeback. My father has always been supportive so he backed me again. I went for nationals last year, had good results and decided to turn Pro, test myself and try to reach as far as I can. But a hamstring injury held me back,” he says.

His hamstring injury in the right leg hasn’t healed fully yet, but he is in no mood to hold back now. “It has never fully healed. But I am doing the strengthening process to make my leg stronger. I am going to Qatar again in September and now I have started to play all these PSA tournaments for points and move up in the rankings so that I can compete at a higher level,” he added.

Abhishek played his second final in many year’s at the Maharashtra State Men’s Squash tournament in Bombay Gymkhana on Friday. He lost to compatriot Mahesh Mangaonkar 11-8, 12-10, 12-10 in the final. Playing with Mahesh brought back his childhood memories.

“I played Mahesh in a final after nine years. It was a really good experience for me. Old memories flashed back. Playing against him is good start for me,” he said.

Both Abhishek and Mahesh started playing squash at Club Aquaria in Borivali at an early age. They played many finals at the club and national level in sub junior categories and even played U-11 international final in Malaysia, which Mahesh won. Mahesh always had an edge but their contests were always close and at times Abhishek also won against him. The duo frequently interchanged positions as No. 1 junior players in India and got top two seeding in most junior tournaments in India during that time. Abhishek even won national titles in the U-13 and U-17 categories.

But now Mahesh, who is based in Holland for advanced training, is a regular on the PSA circuit and is currently India No 3. Abhishek is also planning to move abroad if he finds a sponsor and wants to play regularly on the PSA circuit.

“I also trained with Mahesh when he came back from Europe for a summer break two months ago. There is no set up for professional training here and I might do same (go out) if I get a sponsor,” he concluded.