The 80th CCI Western India Squash Tournament, scheduled from December 17 to 21, 2025, arrives at a uniquely significant moment for Indian squash.
As the country’s oldest and longest-running squash competition, first held in 1943, the event at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai stands as a symbol of continuity and legacy. Yet, this edition is equally shaped by transition coming just days after India’s historic maiden Squash World Cup triumph in Chennai and at a time when the sport is preparing for its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
Organised by the CCI under the aegis of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) and the Maharashtra Squash Racquets Association (MSRA), the tournament is staged across six glass-backed courts at the iconic Churchgate venue. Over five days, it will host a wide spectrum of categories, from junior age groups to senior, master and pro-coach divisions, reinforcing its role as a comprehensive national showcase rather than a single elite event.
The timing of this year’s edition adds an unusual competitive dimension. The CCI begins just three days after the conclusion of the Squash World Cup, where India’s team featuring Abhay Singh, Joshna Chinappa, Velavan Senthilkumar and Anahat Singh produced a landmark title-winning performance. The physical and mental demands of that campaign make the immediate participation of the top senior players unlikely, reshaping the senior draws and opening a rare window of opportunity for the next rung of domestic contenders.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the men’s senior event. With Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar expected to skip the tournament, the spotlight falls on a compelling seeding dynamic. Mumbai’s Suraj Chand enters as the top seed, a reflection of his consistency on the domestic circuit, while Veer Chotrani is seeded second despite holding a far superior global standing, currently ranked world No. 49.
The contrast between domestic points accumulation and international PSA merit sets up a fascinating narrative for the 80th edition.
Chotrani, 23, has enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season. Multiple PSA Challenger titles on the Indian circuit and his rise into the world’s top 50 have established him as the country’s most in-form internationally active male player outside the World Cup squad.
His performances at the World Championships, including a win over England’s Declan James and a competitive showing against four-time world champion Ali Farag, underline his pedigree. On paper, he is the analytical favourite to lift the CCI title.
Suraj Chand, however, carries the advantage of familiarity and domestic stature. A Mumbai native and consistent performer on the SRFI circuit, he reached the semi-finals of the HCL Indian Tour Bengaluru leg earlier this year. For Chand, the CCI represents more than a ranking opportunity it is a chance to validate his domestic No. 1 status against India’s strongest available international-level opponent. A potential final between Chand and Chotrani would serve as a referendum on whether domestic dominance or global exposure carries greater weight in the Indian squash hierarchy.
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The supporting cast further deepens the men’s draw. Experienced campaigners like Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu and Rahul Baitha bring tactical nous and the ability to capitalise on an open field. With former world No. 10 Saurav Ghosal still rebuilding after his return from retirement and unlikely to influence the latter stages, the 80th CCI becomes a critical year-end points opportunity for this entire cohort.
On the women’s side, the narrative is more straightforward, dominated by the presence of Anahat Singh. At just 17, Anahat is already India’s highest-ranked female player at world No. 28 and arrives in Mumbai fresh from her role in the World Cup-winning team. She is the overwhelming favourite in both the women’s senior and girls’ U-19 categories a rare dual-role that reflects both her exceptional level and the SRFI’s confidence in exposing its top junior to sustained senior competition .
Anahat’s 2025 résumé is formidable: Senior National champion, winner of her 10th PSA title at the SRFI Indian Tour in Chennai, British Junior Open U-17 champion and World Junior Championships bronze medallist. Her likely absence of serious domestic challengers, particularly with Joshna Chinappa expected to rest after the World Cup, turns the women’s event into a race for podium positions behind her.
Players like Anjali Semwal, a consistent domestic performer, stand to gain valuable ranking points and experience in this scenario.
Beyond immediate results, the 80th CCI Western India serves as a strategic anchor in the Indian squash ecosystem. As the final major SRFI event of 2025, it will shape year-end domestic rankings and influence seeding and momentum heading into the 2026 season. Its historical prestige also plays a vital role in drawing internationally active players back into the domestic fold, ensuring alignment between global ambitions and national structures.
The tournament’s enduring challenge lies in bridging tradition with modern professional realities. The visible gap between domestic seeding and PSA rankings highlights the need for closer integration with the global circuit, potentially through PSA-sanctioned status in future editions.
Yet, even in its current form, the CCI remains a powerful institution one that continues to define standards, test depth and connect Indian squash’s storied past with its rapidly evolving future.
