India Dominate Asian Doubles Squash Championships with Three Final Berths
India’s squash contingent produced a stunning display at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships, with three Indian pairs storming into their respective finals, highlighting the country’s growing prowess in doubles formats. Leading the charge are Abhay Singh, Anahat Singh, Joshna Chinappa, and Velavan Senthilkumar, all of whom will now compete for continental titles in Bhayangkara, Indonesia.
This is the first time India has three teams in the finals of the Asian Doubles Championships, a remarkable milestone for Indian squash.
Anahat & Abhay Storm into Mixed Doubles Final
The top-seeded pair of Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh overcame a stern test in the mixed doubles semifinal against Malaysia’s Ainaa Amani and Syafiq Kamal, eventually prevailing 11-8, 10-11, 11-5 in a tense three-game battle.
After taking the opening game 11-8, the Indian duo were pegged back in the second, narrowly losing 10-11. But they showed maturity and tactical control in the decider, racing to an 11-5 win to seal their place in the final.
They now face Malaysia’s top pair Arnold and Chandaran in the title clash. A win would cap off a brilliant run by Anahat and Abhay, who have looked in control throughout the tournament, combining youthful flair with tactical sharpness.
Abhay & Velavan Eye Second Successive Men’s Doubles Title
India’s men’s doubles top seeds and defending champions Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar booked their spot in the final with a confident 11-5, 11-9 win over Hong Kong’s Wong and Tang in the semifinals.
The Indian pair showed complete dominance in the first game and managed to hold their nerve in the second to avoid a decider. This will be their second consecutive Asian Doubles final, and they’ll now face arch-rivals Pakistan’s Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal the second seeds for the championship.
An India vs Pakistan final always brings added intensity, and with gold on the line, fireworks are expected. Abhay and Velavan, in top form, will aim to defend their crown and bring home back-to-back titles for India.
Joshna & Anahat Set Up Women’s Doubles Final with Malaysia
India’s most experienced squash player Joshna Chinappa and teenage prodigy Anahat Singh seeded second eased their way into the women’s doubles final, dispatching Hong Kong’s Kirstie Wong and Toby Tse with a commanding 11-7, 11-6 win.
Joshna’s court awareness and Anahat’s aggressive shot-making blended seamlessly as they kept their opponents under constant pressure. With the win, the pair now set up a mouth-watering title clash against the top-seeded Malaysian team of Ainaa Amani and Xin Ying Yee, who have also been in impressive form.
This final will not only be a test of experience versus strategy but also a rematch of sorts for Anahat, who faced Amani in the mixed doubles semifinal. Having already beaten her once, the young Indian will look to repeat the feat alongside Joshna.
Beonze Medal match for Joshna & Velavan in Mixed Doubles
In the other mixed doubles semifinal, the Indian pair of Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshna Chinappa fell short, losing out in the semifinal stage. They will now play for the bronze medal, adding to India’s overall medal haul from the championships.
Despite the loss, their campaign showcased solid coordination and resilience, especially against strong Southeast Asian opponents. A win in the bronze playoff would mean India finishes with medals in all four events contested a rare achievement.
India’s Final Line-Up at Asian Doubles Championships
India’s campaign has turned into a historic one, with 3 out of 4 teams reaching the finals:
- Men’s Doubles Final:
🇮🇳 Abhay Singh / Velavan Senthilkumar (Top seeds)
🆚 🇵🇰 Noor Zaman / Nasir Iqbal (2nd seeds) - Women’s Doubles Final:
🇮🇳 Anahat Singh / Joshna Chinappa (2nd seeds)
🆚 🇲🇾 Ainaa Amani / Xin Ying Yee (Top seeds) - Mixed Doubles Final:
🇮🇳 Anahat Singh / Abhay Singh (Top seeds)
🆚 🇲🇾 Arnold / Chandaran
India’s Rise in Asian Doubles
India’s performance at this edition of the Asian Doubles Championships reflects a strategic investment in the doubles format a discipline that often goes under the radar but has recently seen a surge in competitiveness and visibility. The blend of youth in Anahat and Velavan, alongside the experience of Joshna and Abhay, has proven to be a winning formula.
With three teams eyeing gold and a fourth team contending for bronze, this could go down as India’s most successful outing in Asian Doubles Squash history.
The finals promise high drama, intense rallies, and hopefully, a few Indian flags rising atop the podium.
