The HCL Squash Indian Tour 4 PSA Challenger 15K has turned into a statement tournament for Indian squash, with four home players advancing to the semifinals, marking one of the strongest collective performances by the national contingent at this level.
Coming just days before the SDAT Squash World Cup, the results offer both momentum and confidence for India’s top athletes preparing for the global stage.
The headline of the day came from Anahat Singh, Joshna Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, and Velavan Senthilkumar, all of whom delivered composed, high-quality performances to book semifinal berths in Chennai.
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Top seed Anahat Singh was clinical in her quarterfinal, defeating Japan’s eighth seed Akari Midorikawa 3–0. The reigning national champion extended her recent run of consistency with a polished display of controlled aggression, moving the ball early and maintaining pace throughout. Against Midorikawa, she dominated the middle of the court and dictated tempo, winning comfortably without allowing the match to drift into long, draining rallies.
Anahat, still just 17, has looked in complete command of her game this season, and her run here strengthens her preparations for the SDAT World Cup, where she will represent India in the women’s team.
Joshna Chinappa Shows Experience and Fight in 3–2 Thriller
If Anahat’s win was smooth, Joshna Chinappa’s quarterfinal was the exact opposite a five-game battle of resilience and experience. Facing second seed Nardine Garas of Egypt, Joshna drew on all her years on the PSA Tour to script a dramatic 3–2 comeback victory. The 39-year-old former World No. 10 had opened her campaign earlier in the event with an assured 11–3, 11–7, 11–6 win over compatriot Anika Dubey, a match that eased her into rhythm. But Garas posed a far sterner challenge. Joshna mixed tight lengths with clever holds and softened the Egyptian’s early intensity, eventually closing out the decider with her trademark composure.
Joshna now prepares to face Ella Jane Lash, the seventh-seeded Kiwi, in what promises to be a fascinating contrast of styles Lash’s mobility against Joshna’s court craft and experience.
Tanvi Khanna Overcomes a Tough Hong Kong Challenge
India’s sixth seed Tanvi Khanna kept the tricolour flying with another gritty win, edging out Hong Kong’s fourth seed Nga Ching Cheng 3–2. Tanvi, who has steadily risen in the PSA rankings over the past year, showcased her improved rally tolerance and defensive solidity. After trailing early on, she settled into longer exchanges, tightened her lines, and forced errors in the latter stages of the match.
This victory marks another step forward in Tanvi’s growing confidence, particularly ahead of the World Cup, where she is expected to play a crucial supporting role in India’s women’s lineup.
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In the men’s draw, top seed Velavan Senthilkumar underlined his status as the tournament favourite. The reigning national champion was too strong for sixth seed Joseph White of Australia, cruising to a 3–0 victory. Velavan’s athleticism and court coverage stood out, and his ability to control the T forced White to play reactive squash throughout.
After receiving a first-round bye, Velavan appears to have timed his run perfectly, growing sharper with each match. His performance also bodes well for the Indian men’s team heading to the SDAT World Cup.
A Boost Ahead of the Squash World Cup
With four Indians in the semifinals, the HCL Indian Tour 4 has turned into the ideal preparatory platform for the World Cup squad Joshna, Anahat, Tanvi, and Velavan are all part of India’s four-member contingent for the upcoming prestigious event in Chennai.
The tournament has offered competitive match play, high-quality opponents, and a chance to test tactical variations under pressure all crucial in the build-up to a team event where margins are tight and form matters.
As the semifinals approach, the Indian camp finds itself in a rare position of strength: not only are the top seeds delivering as expected, but the depth and fighting spirit shown across matches underline that the players are peaking at the right time.
Whether this dominance translates into titles will be known soon, but for now, India’s semifinal charge stands as one of the most encouraging signs ahead of a major international test.
