Saurav Ghosal Aims Top Five Ranking Before Retirement

World No.21 and India's numero uno squash player Saurav Ghosal on Friday said he was focussed on breaking into the top 20 in the rankings and would be happy to finish among the top five when he retired.

"My current aim is to get back to top 20. But finishing among the top-5 before I retire will be more than something great," Ghosal said at a press conference ahead of an exhibition match which also featured No.2 Gregory Gaultier of France.

Ghosal achieved his career best world rank - 15th - in December, 2013.

The 28-year-old recently fought hard but lost to top-ranked Mohamed El Shorbagy of Egypt in Windy City Open in Chicago.

When asked if playing against top ranked players is helping him improve his game, Ghosal said: "Surely it is helping me. I am playing the top two. I also learn a lot from them, their style of playing."

Ghosal took on No.2 Gregory Gaultier in an exhibition match at the Calcutta Racket Club here on Friday.

He said the experience he was gathering by playing against such high class players would help him beat top-ranked opponents soon.

"I am frequently playing them. The experience is helping. I can surely stun the top players someday soon," he said.

The racket sport was not included in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics but Ghosal hoped it would find a place in the 2020 Olympics.

Ghosal termed the exclusion of the sport from the Olympics as a massive disappointment.

"It is a massive disappointment not to have squash in Olympics. Once the decision was made you don't have regrets, but stay focused on making the game better, as an ambassador of the sport," Ghosal said.

The Kolkata boy also said he has improved a lot as a player and is happy with his achievements over the years.

"The player I was 10 years back and the player I am now is a lot different. I have changed my tactics, my game has gone up a lot and of course I am happy with what I have achieved till date."

He felt Indian youngsters learning the sport would feel motivated if top squash players come to the country. The sport will also come in the limelight.

"Young kids learning the sport will get to learn a lot from the world's top players. To see them play is a huge achievement. It will be good for the sport in the country also," Ghosal concluded.