As Chennai prepares to host the SDAT Squash World Cup for the second straight edition from December 9–14, the Indian squad enters the tournament with its most balanced and strategically built team in recent years.
The World Cup’s return to the Express Avenue Mall, where an all-glass show court will draw thousands of fans through a buzzing commercial atrium, sets the stage for India’s strongest push yet for the title. Two years ago, India claimed a memorable bronze their best-ever finish on home soil. This time, with a refreshed roster and a sharper tactical blueprint, the target is openly ambitious.
“We won bronze last time, so hopefully we can go two better and win the gold,” said Abhay Singh, the country’s top-ranked men’s player. His confidence reflects the team’s form and the structural changes made specifically with the 2025 title in mind.
India will field Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa and 17-year-old prodigy Anahat Singh four players who, just months ago, swept all three gold medals at the Asian Doubles Championships in Kuching. Their collective success in men’s, women’s and mixed doubles is perhaps the most significant indicator of India’s readiness. In a mixed-gender team format that demands chemistry, adaptability and fast tactical responses, India’s quartet arrives with proven synergy and momentum.
The World Cup format itself heightens unpredictability. With matches played in a sprint-like best-of-five to seven points featuring sudden death at 6–6 momentum swings fast and mistakes are heavily punished. This scoring structure reduces the advantage of long-rally physicality and emphasizes explosive starts, sharp shot-making and tactical clarity under pressure. In this environment, underdogs can trouble higher-ranked players, and teams with naturally fast starters gain strategic leverage. India, with three players in strong form and a rising teenager unafraid of pace, fits well into this schema.
The challenge for the coaching staff is deciding the playing order, especially in the women’s slots.
In each tie, the Woman #1 and Man #1 rubbers carry the highest stakes: two points each, with four needed to win the tie. Traditionally, Joshna Chinappa India’s most decorated women’s player and the emotional backbone of the team has taken the W1 position. But her current PSA ranking in the 90s contrasts with Anahat Singh’s top-40 ranking and recent breakthrough performances, including a win over World No. 7 Tinne Gilis at the Canadian Open.
In a tournament defined by short games and sudden-death pressure, Anahat’s electric pace and attacking instincts arguably make her the higher-probability point source at W1. The decision between seniority and form could define India’s campaign.
On the men’s side, Abhay Singh leads as M1, carrying the responsibility of securing India’s crucial two-point rubber in every tie. His recent record in team competitions is strong, but the 2023 semi-final loss to Malaysia still lingers he fell in the sudden-death climax of the fifth game. His improvement in closing out tight, high-pressure moments will be essential as India seeks to cross the semifinal hurdle.
Beside him, Velavan Senthilkumar ranked in the 40s brings depth and consistency to the M2 role. Their doubles gold together earlier this season underscores a reliable partnership and strong understanding of pressure rhythms.
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The field, expanded to 12 teams, brings together global heavyweights and emerging nations. Defending champions Egypt remain the benchmark, with their unrivalled depth in both men’s and women’s rankings. Malaysia, runners-up in 2023 and the team that halted India’s dream run, again pose a significant tactical challenge. Nations like Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia add further layers of competition, ensuring no path to the podium will be straightforward.
For India, however, the advantage of playing in Chennai cannot be overstated. The city is home to the Indian Squash Academy, the SRFI headquarters and the daily training environment for all four athletes. The familiarity of the venue, the comfort of routine, and the energy of a home crowd crowding around the glass court create intangible but powerful edges especially in the razor-thin margins of the 7-point format.
Institutionally, the Tamil Nadu Government, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport, and the SRFI have backed the event heavily, turning it into a showcase tournament in the lead-up to squash’s debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With stable coaching structures, year-round preparation, and a strategic selection approach calibrated specifically for this format, India enters the tournament not just as hosts, but as legitimate contenders.
As the lights rise over the Express Avenue Mall and the world’s attention turns to Chennai, Team India stands on the brink of a potential breakthrough moment. The squad is younger, faster, more cohesive and better suited to the format than ever before.
If they can capitalize on their high-value matches and maintain composure in sudden-death moments, the dream of turning bronze into gold is well within reach.
