Ranveer secures twin silver, ticket to Asian Snooker Championship

Local cueist Ranveer Duggal bagged two silver medals (in billiards and snooker) in the U-21 competition of the ongoing Billiards and Snooker Nationals, Indore.

Delivering an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, Duggal came within touching distance of the gold but lost a nail-biting decider frame (snooker) against Gujarat’s Dhruv Patel. He lost on the last black ball, securing the silver.

The match was a rollercoaster as both players displayed their skills on the green board, giving each other a tough time. It spanned seven frames with the momentum shifting back and forth.

After losing the first frame, Patel made a strong comeback into the match and won the next two.

Duggal was not ready to give up and fought back to level the score 2-2. The contest intensified as both the players won alternating frames and came up to decider frame where Duggal unluckily to lost the last black ball.

In the billiards competition, Duggal beat Patel with an eight-point margin in the semifinal that lasted nearly two hours.

Patel was up by a solitary point but fouled with only 50 seconds left when Duggal took the opportunity and hurried back to make eight points to win.

Last year, during the Nationals, Duggal had made Chandigarh proud by pocketing two gold medals in both billiards and snooker in the U-21 category.

The runners-up finishes nonetheless helps Duggal qualify to represent India at the Asian Snooker Championship (U-21), scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, from February 16 to 21.

Office bearer of the Chandigarh Billiards and Snooker Association, and his coach, Rakesh Duggal congratulated the youngster.