NAGOYA, Japan — The dream of reclaiming the top spot on the podium for Indian squash came to a bittersweet conclusion on Thursday, as both the men’s and women’s teams were forced to settle for bronze medals following heartbreaking semifinal defeats at the 2026 Asian Games.
In a day defined by high-stakes rallies and agonizingly close margins, India’s hopes of replicating their historic golden run from the Hangzhou 2022 Games were extinguished in Nagoya. While both squads showed flashes of the brilliance that has defined Indian squash over the last decade, they ultimately succumbed to the tactical discipline of Malaysia and Hong Kong, respectively.
Men’s Title Defense Halted by Resilient Malaysia
The men’s team arrived in Japan with the weight of expectation on their shoulders, tasked with defending the gold medal they secured in Hangzhou. Facing a formidable Malaysian side in the semifinals, India found themselves trailing early after a difficult opening match.
Abhay Singh, tasked with setting the tone for the tie, faced off against the highly touted Eain Yow. Despite a gritty performance, Singh was unable to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm, falling in straight games (11-8, 11-8, 11-8). The 3-0 defeat placed the burden of recovery on the shoulders of Veer Chotrani.
Chotrani, who has been in clinical form throughout these Games, delivered exactly what was required. He dismantled Sanjay Jeeva with surgical precision, cruising to a 3-0 victory (11-4, 11-8, 11-5). His dominant performance breathed new life into the contest, leveling the tie at 1-1 and setting the stage for a high-tension decider between Velavan Senthilkumar and Ameeshenraj Chandaran.
The final match proved to be an emotional rollercoaster. Senthilkumar stormed out of the blocks, securing the first game in a tight 12-10 battle. However, the momentum shifted decisively toward the Malaysian camp thereafter. Chandaran, maintaining composure under immense pressure, clawed his way back to win three consecutive games (11-6, 11-8, 11-9). The 3-1 loss for Senthilkumar effectively closed the door on India’s hopes of defending their title, marking an end to an intense campaign.
Women’s Squad Faces Heartbreak Against Hong Kong
Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s team suffered a similarly stinging 1-2 defeat at the hands of Hong Kong. For many spectators, the narrative of the women’s semifinal was centered on the near-misses of an emerging star and the seasoned resilience of a veteran.
Anahat Singh, the 18-year-old sensation currently ranked world No. 17, bore the brunt of the pressure in the opening tie. Facing world No. 25 Sin Yuk Chan, Anahat looked poised for a statement victory after taking a commanding lead in the five-game marathon. However, in a stunning turn of events, the youngster squandered four match points, allowing Chan to mount a spectacular comeback to win 2-3 (11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-13, 10-12).
Tanvi Khanna, ranked No. 73, provided a glimmer of hope for India in the second rubber. In an upset that showcased her grit, she overcame a deficit to defeat world No. 40 Ka Yi Lee 3-1 (4-11, 13-11, 11-9, 13-11). Her performance leveled the match and kept the dream of a gold medal match alive.
The final rubber featured the experience of Joshna Chinappa, a former top-10 player whose pedigree is unquestioned. Facing world No. 39 Ho Tze Lok, Chinappa struggled to impose her game, ultimately falling in straight games. The defeat sealed a 2-1 loss for the team, sending India to the bronze medal podium instead of the final.
Reflecting on a Campaign of Grit
While the absence of a gold-medal finish will undoubtedly sting, the performance of the Indian contingent in Nagoya underscores the nation’s consistent presence at the pinnacle of Asian squash. The ability to reach the semifinals in both categories proves that the depth of talent within the Indian program remains robust.
For veterans like Chinappa and the burgeoning talent of players like Anahat Singh and Veer Chotrani, the Asian Games experience in Japan serves as both a reminder of the sport’s unforgiving nature and a foundation for future cycles.
As the dust settles in Nagoya, the Indian squash contingent departs with two bronze medals—a testament to their collective struggle and their place among the elite in the continental game. While this year’s narrative was not one of gold, the intensity of these matches has only solidified the fierce reputation Indian squash continues to command on the world stage.
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