Experience and pedigree prevailed at the historic Cricket Club of India (CCI) courts on Sunday as top seeds Joshna Chinappa and Veer Chotrani clinched the women’s and men’s singles titles respectively at the 80th CCI Western India Squash Tournament, one of the most prestigious events on the domestic squash calendar.
For Chinappa, the victory carried a deep personal resonance. Rallying from a game down, the former world top-10 player overcame a spirited challenge from second seed Sanya Vats to win 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5 in the women’s final. The triumph marked Chinappa’s fifth title at the tournament and her first here since the 2007–08 season, underlining both longevity and sustained excellence at the highest level of Indian squash.
After dropping the opening game, Chinappa gradually asserted control through superior court coverage and shot selection. Vats, who had impressed all week with her intensity and retrieval skills, matched Chinappa rally for rally early on, but the veteran’s ability to vary pace and find depth began to tell as the match progressed. From the second game onward, Chinappa dictated play, forcing errors and stretching rallies to sap her younger opponent’s resistance.
“This venue is very special to me,” Chinappa said after the final. “I have been playing here at the CCI since I was 12 years old and have trained here regularly. Winning here again makes me very proud.”
The women’s title was the culmination of a dominant campaign by Chinappa, who had earlier steamrolled past Reiva Nimalkar in the quarterfinals and showed composure against tough opposition in the latter stages. Vats, meanwhile, continued her upward trajectory, having battled past Pooja Arthi R in a testing quarterfinal and showing maturity beyond her years throughout the tournament.
In the men’s final, Veer Chotrani delivered a composed and authoritative performance to defeat second seed Suraj Chand 11-9, 11-9, 11-2 and lift his second CCI Western India Squash title, having previously won the tournament in the 2022–23 season. The win reaffirmed Chotrani’s status as one of India’s most consistent performers on the domestic circuit.
The opening two games were closely contested, with Suraj matching Chotrani point for point through aggressive shot-making and sharp movement. However, Chotrani’s calmness in pressure moments proved decisive. He repeatedly won the crucial points at the business end of games, before completely dominating the third with a clinical display of attacking squash.
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Chotrani’s title run was built on solid foundations earlier in the week. The top seed had eased past Rounak Yadav in the early rounds before navigating a competitive draw that featured many of the country’s leading players. Suraj Chand, who reached the final after a series of composed wins, including a testing encounter against Hridhaan Shah, once again demonstrated his consistency and big-match temperament.
The 80th edition of the tournament showcased the growing depth of Indian squash across categories. The semifinals and finals delivered high-quality rallies, physical intensity and tactical nuance, reaffirming the CCI Western India Squash Championships’ reputation as a benchmark domestic event. The performances of established names alongside emerging talents highlighted the strength of India’s squash ecosystem and the importance of such tournaments in bridging the gap between junior promise and senior success.
As the curtains came down on another memorable edition, the twin triumphs of Chinappa and Chotrani stood as a reminder of the value of experience, preparation and connection to place. At a venue steeped in history, two players who grew up on its courts once again etched their names into the tournament’s rich legacy.
