Dominance on the court remains the theme for Indian squash at the Asian Games, as both the men’s and women’s teams emphatically punched their tickets to the semifinals on Wednesday. With clinical precision and unrelenting focus, the Indian contingent secured 2-0 victories in their respective quarterfinal ties against Kuwait and Singapore, effectively guaranteeing that at least two more medals will be added to the nation’s growing tally in the games.
The dual-victory performance serves as a powerful statement of intent. For the men, it confirms their status as tournament heavyweights and defending champions; for the women, it solidifies their transformation into a formidable force capable of navigating the high-pressure environment of the knockout stages.
Men’s Team Defends Title Ambitions with Clinical Precision
Entering the tournament as the top seed, the Indian men’s team faced the weight of expectation with the confidence of a squad that has been here before. Facing off against Kuwait in a high-stakes quarterfinal, the Indians demonstrated why they are the team to beat.
Veer Chotrani drew the unenviable task of setting the tone in the opening match against Bader Almogghrebi. The contest was a physical and mental grind, with Almogghrebi pushing Chotrani to the brink in a back-and-forth opening game. After sneaking the first game 12-10, Chotrani stumbled in the second, conceding 8-11. However, the response from the Indian camp was swift and ruthless. Chotrani roared back to life, dismantling his opponent 11-0 in the third game before sealing the match 11-5 in the fourth. The 34-minute battle proved that India’s depth is as significant as its top-end talent.
With the momentum firmly in India’s corner, Abhay Singh took the court with the poise of an athlete who has already tasted success in Hangzhou. Having previously secured a silver medal in the individual competition, Abhay delivered a masterclass against Ammar Altamimi. Controlling the ‘T’ with ease, he breezed to an 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 victory, needing only three games to shut the door on any hopes of a Kuwaiti comeback. With the tie wrapped up 2-0, the defending champions moved efficiently into the semifinals, conserving energy for the challenges that lie ahead.
Women’s Squad Exhibits Depth and Star Power
If the men’s performance was defined by seasoned control, the women’s path to the semifinals was defined by a blend of grit and youthful brilliance. Tasked with overcoming a resilient Singapore side, the Indian women demonstrated the mental fortitude required for tournament glory.
The tie began with Tanvi Khanna, who provided the early spark in a tense encounter against Au Yeong Wai Iynn. The match was a roller-coaster of momentum, with both players trading games in the opening stages. After sharing the first two games, the match hung in the balance during a grueling third set. Khanna showed tremendous composure, clinching the pivotal set 15-13 before finding another gear to dominate the fourth game 11-1. The 32-minute victory provided the vital lead India needed to put the pressure back on their opponents.
The burden of sealing the deal fell to rising star Anahat Singh. The 18-year-old, who captured the nation’s imagination with her silver-medal run in the individual event, showed no signs of fatigue or complacency. In a display of tactical maturity far beyond her years, she systematically picked apart Au Yeong Wai Yhann. The 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 demolition took just 22 minutes, underscoring the gap in quality between the two sides on the day.
With the tie decided, the veteran presence of Joshna Chinappa—who already has a bronze in the mixed doubles to her name—was not required to step onto the court. The ability to clinch the victory without exhausting their most experienced campaigner is a massive tactical advantage for India heading into the semifinals.
A Look Ahead to the Semifinals
The road to the podium has been paved through a comprehensive group-stage campaign. The men’s team entered the knockouts as the definitive class of their pool, while the women’s team displayed remarkable consistency, rounding out their group stage with a 3-0 blanking of Iran on Tuesday following impressive wins over China and Japan.
As the sun sets on the quarterfinal round, the focus shifts immediately to Thursday’s semifinals. Both teams are now mathematically assured of medals, but the rhetoric coming from the camp suggests a singular focus on gold. With the intensity of the competition set to spike, India’s squash players have proven that they possess the physical conditioning, technical skill, and emotional maturity to handle the brightest lights on the Asian Games stage.
Fans will be watching closely as the Indian men look to continue their title defense, while the women’s team aims to build on their momentum and climb the final rungs of the podium. One thing is certain: as the Asian Games enter their final act, Indian squash is firmly positioned at the center of the conversation.
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