Indian squash reached its greatest-ever milestone on Sunday as the national team was crowned WSF Squash World Cup champions, defeating top seeds Hong Kong 3–0 in a commanding final at Chennai’s Express Avenue Mall.
In front of a packed and passionate home crowd, India delivered a performance that combined experience, composure, and youthful fearlessness to secure the country’s first-ever World Cup gold in squash.
The victory marked only India’s second medal in Squash World Cup history, upgrading the bronze medal won at the previous edition in 2023 to a historic gold. More significantly, it confirmed India’s arrival as a genuine global force in team squash, capable of not just competing with, but decisively beating, the world’s best.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
India entered the final as the No.2 seeds, facing a Hong Kong team that had arrived in Chennai as pre-tournament favourites. But once play began, the gap between reputation and reality quickly narrowed.
Veteran Joshna Chinappa set the tone in the opening match, taking on world No.27 Ka Yi Lee. At 39, Chinappa drew on her vast experience to outmanoeuvre a higher-ranked opponent, winning in four games, 7–3, 2–7, 7–5, 7–1. It was a statement performance, built on accuracy, control of the ‘T’, and calm decision-making under pressure. The win also extended her unbeaten head-to-head record against Lee to 3–0, giving India an invaluable early lead.
That advantage was swiftly doubled by Abhay Singh, India’s men’s No.1, who produced one of the cleanest performances of the tournament against Tsz Kwan Lau. Abhay dominated from the outset, claiming a straight-games victory, 7–1, 7–4, 7–4. His ability to dictate rallies and maintain intensity left little room for Hong Kong to respond.
The moment of coronation arrived through Anahat Singh, the 17-year-old who has emerged as the face of Indian squash’s next generation. Facing reigning Asian champion Ho Tze Lok, Anahat showed no nerves, delivering a clinical 3–0 win, 7–2, 7–2, 7–5. Her deceptive shot-making and relentless retrieval ensured Ho never gained momentum, sealing India’s historic triumph in emphatic fashion.
Dominance Through the Tournament
India’s gold medal was the culmination of a week-long display of dominance. The hosts breezed through the pool stage with 4–0 wins over Switzerland and Brazil, barely dropping games. In the quarter-finals, they dismantled South Africa 3–0, with wins from Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Anahat Singh.
The semi-final against defending champions Egypt was the defining test and one India passed with authority. Velavan Senthilkumar opened the tie with a ruthless 3–0 win over Ibrahim Elkabbani. Anahat then survived a tense five-game battle against Nour Heikal, recovering from a first-game loss to turn the match around. Abhay Singh completed the sweep with a hard-fought four-game win over Adam Hawal, sending the defending champions crashing out.
India’s national coach Harinder Pal Sandhu later summed up the significance of the result:
“This was a very big win for us. In a World Cup, when you’re playing for your country, everyone comes in to challenge you. The way our players handled that pressure was outstanding.” As mentioned to World Squash.
Hong Kong’s Tough Road, India’s Clinical Finish
Hong Kong’s journey to the final had been far from smooth. While they dominated Korea and Switzerland, they were held to a draw by South Africa and required a dramatic count-back victory over Japan in the semi-finals after falling 0–2 behind. Alex Lau and Ka Yi Lee played crucial roles in rescuing their campaign, but India proved a step too far.
The final never reached a fourth match. The combination of Joshna’s experience, Abhay’s control, and Anahat’s fearlessness ensured that Velavan Senthilkumar was not required, underlining just how complete India’s performance was.
A Landmark Moment for Indian Squash
Beyond the result, this title carries deep symbolic weight. Three members of the Indian team are Chennai locals, and lifting the trophy in front of a home crowd at Express Avenue Mall made the moment even more poignant. The gold medal confirms the progress of Indian squash at both senior and junior levels and validates years of sustained development. For Joshna Chinappa, the victory represents a fitting high point late in a remarkable career.
For Abhay Singh, it cements his status as a leader on the international stage. And for Anahat Singh, it signals the arrival of a generational talent capable of shaping India’s future in the sport.
India did not just win the Squash World Cup they redefined expectations. From bronze contenders to champions, the journey is complete. The gold medal in Chennai will be remembered as the night Indian squash truly came of age.
