Gandhi fights off Kala for title

Kala too believes that if he would have won the crucial fourth game,the end result could have been different. “I made too many errors. Had I won the game,the championships would have been within touching distance,but what can I say? The boy managed to hold his nerve and kept fighting. These are good signs for a sportsman. I definitely think he has a bright future,” Kala said.

Coming into the match after a 10-month lay-off due to surgery on his right fore-arm,Kala made up for the lack of match fitness with an extra dose of confidence as he beat reigning Delhi state No 1 Sameer Sahni in the semi-final in seven games. Pointing at the stitches below the elbow,Kala explained that he has not fully recuperated from the lay-off.

“I’m at that stage of my career where it does not matter whether I win or lose. I entered the tournament mainly to get my touch back. The recuperation period was supposed to be only five months long,but I ended up not playing for almost a year,” Kala said.

The final see-sawed through the opening games before Kala’s operated fore-arm began to show signs of weakness. Gandhi started the match on the back-foot,losing the first game as he was unable to block Kala’s range of attacking strokes. The change-over before the second game worked in Gandhi’s favour as he displayed his strong defence,before going on the attack. Kala once again won the third game before he lost the fourth after having game points. From there on it was a one-man show.

With the victory,Gandhi became the No 1 Delhi state player in the men’s category,piping Sahni from the top spot,while also holding onto the No 1 junior rank. “I am very proud of the achievement. I have always wanted to do well at this level,but to be No 1 in both men’s and juniors,I am very happy,” said the 15-year-old. With more state championships around the corner,Gandhi is now looking to defend his newly gained No 1 ranking and make an impact at the nationals. “Let’s hope for the best.”