November 2025 marked a defining moment in Indian squash. For the first time in history, both the men’s and women’s singles leaders of the country Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh simultaneously reached career-high world rankings. Abhay climbed to World No. 27, while 17-year-old Anahat soared to World No. 36.
Beyond personal triumphs, these milestones signify India’s growing global stature in a sport long dominated by Egypt and Europe.
For over a decade, Indian squash was anchored by veterans such as Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa, and Dipika Pallikal pioneers who broke barriers by entering the PSA Top 10 and delivering historic medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Their legacy has now evolved into a structured, competitive next generation. Abhay Singh’s current ranking represents the highest for an Indian male since Ghosal’s prime in 2019, while Anahat’s emergence at just 17 positions her as the youngest Indian to reach the women’s Top 40.
The parallel rise of both athletes signals a smooth generational transition. India is no longer dependent on one or two senior figures; instead, it now boasts depth, consistency, and international competitiveness critical foundations ahead of squash’s debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Abhay Singh: From Consistency to Contention
At 26, Chennai-born Abhay Singh has emerged as the new face of Indian men’s squash. His climb to World No. 27 is the culmination of a methodical career built on patience, mental resilience, and strategic refinement. Having turned professional in 2017, Singh’s progression has been guided by world-class mentors such as former World No. 1 James Willstrop and Harinder Pal Sandhu.
Abhay’s 2025 season reflects a crucial blend of dominance and adaptation. He captured his 11th PSA title at the Hyder Trophy in New York, adding to his Challenger-level success. But the turning point came at the Qatar Classic, a PSA Platinum event where he not only qualified but advanced deep enough to earn high-value ranking points the true currency of elite-level squash.
The PSA ranking system, which counts only a player’s top nine results over 52 weeks, heavily rewards deep runs in high-tier tournaments. For instance, reaching the quarterfinal of a Platinum event yields nearly twice the points of winning a Challenger event. Abhay’s recognition of this disparity has shaped his evolving strategy: moving from title collection in lower-tier events to consistently competing in Gold and Platinum draws.
This shift mirrors the mindset that powered his breakthrough moment the 2022 Asian Games men’s team final. Facing Pakistan’s Noor Zaman, Abhay saved two match balls at 8–10 in the decider before clinching gold for India. That performance encapsulated his defining trait: the ability to deliver under pressure. As he now chases the World Top 20, that same mental edge will be crucial in bridging the gap against the physically dominant Egyptian and European elite.
Anahat Singh: The Teen Prodigy Redefining Indian Women’s Squash
If Abhay represents maturity, Anahat Singh embodies audacity. At just 17, she has compressed a decade’s worth of growth into two years. From World No. 406 in April 2023, to 93 by late 2024, and now 36 in November 2025 her rise has been meteoric.
A product of Delhi’s junior circuit, Anahat announced her arrival by winning bronze at the 2025 World Junior Championships India’s first individual medal in 15 years. She followed it with a semi-final run at the Canadian Open (Silver Tier), stunning World No. 20 Mélissa Alves and World No. 7 Tinne Gilis. These victories against Top 10 opposition validated her readiness to compete at the sport’s highest tier.
Coached by a world-class team including Saurav Ghosal, Stéphane Galifi, and former World No. 1 Grégory Gaultier, Anahat’s development combines technical elegance with tactical adaptability. Gaultier has compared her game to that of Pakistan legend Jansher Khan a blend of defensive resilience and effortless shot control. Her maturity has also impressed peers; Abhay himself has described her as “a fighter who plays like she’s been on tour for years.”
However, rapid progress has come with physical strain. Anahat was forced to retire with an ankle injury during the final of the NSW Bega Open this year a reminder of the sport’s punishing demands. Managing workload and strengthening endurance will be central to her long-term success. Given her age and intensity of competition, targeted sports science investment in recovery and biomechanics is no longer optional; it is essential.
Both Abhay and Anahat now face the same strategic crossroad. To progress into the Top 20 and beyond, they must abandon the comfort of the Challenger circuit. The PSA’s points system makes clear that winning smaller events no longer provides meaningful upward momentum. Instead, the focus must shift toward regular participation in Silver, Gold, and Platinum events — even at the cost of early exits. For athletes chasing elite rankings, the risk of first-round losses is outweighed by the potential ranking rewards of deeper runs in high-tier tournaments.
At a national level, India must seize this moment to institutionalize support. With three men inside the Top 50 Abhay Singh (27), Ramit Tandon (40), and Velavan Senthilkumar (46) the domestic training environment is now self-sustaining. High-intensity camps involving these players, coupled with international expertise from coaches like Willstrop and Gaultier, could establish a durable high-performance culture.
The Olympic Horizon
The long-term target is clear: Los Angeles 2028. By the time squash makes its Olympic debut, Abhay Singh will be 30 ideally positioned in terms of tactical maturity while Anahat will be entering her physical prime at 20. For both, sustained progression over the next three years could translate into top-tier Olympic seeding and realistic medal contention.
The milestones of November 2025 thus represent more than rankings they mark the foundation of India’s next squash era. From Chennai’s courts to global stages, from Challenger titles to Platinum ambitions, Abhay and Anahat’s twin rise signals a new Indian sporting narrative: one driven by professionalism, strategy, and the belief that global excellence is no longer a distant dream it’s a calculated climb already underway.
