India becomes the first Asian nation to lift the trophy.
Sunday marked a monumental day in Indian sports history as the national team etched their names in the record books, lifting the India Squash World Cup title for the very first time. In a dominant display of skill and grit at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai, the Indian contingent completely dismantled Hong Kong with a decisive 3-0 victory in the final.
This victory is particularly significant as it makes India the first-ever Asian country to claim this prestigious trophy. Previously, the World Cup had been dominated by heavyweights like Australia, England, and Egypt. With this win, India joins this elite club of champions, signaling a massive shift in the global squash landscape. This triumph is a significant leap forward from the 2023 edition, where India had to settle for a bronze medal.
The timing of this victory could not be more perfect. With squash officially set to make its debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, this gold medal serves as a massive morale booster for the players and fans alike.
An Undefeated Run to Glory
India’s journey to the podium was flawless. The second-seeded team did not lose a single tie throughout the entire tournament. After sweeping past Brazil and Switzerland with identical 4-0 margins in the group stages, they knocked out South Africa in the quarterfinals and stunned the two-time champions, Egypt, in the semifinals.
The Final Showdown
The summit clash began with the experienced Joshna Chinappa taking the court. Ranked 79th globally, Chinappa brought her ‘A’ game to upset World No. 37 Lee Ka Yi. Despite dropping the second game, she rallied to win 3-1 (7-3, 2-7, 7-5, 7-1), giving India the early momentum.
Following her, Asian Games medallist Abhay Singh showcased his class. As India’s top-ranked male player at World No. 29, Singh made short work of Alex Lau, winning in straight games (7-1, 7-4, 7-4).
The final nail in the coffin was delivered by the 17-year-old sensation Anahat Singh. She displayed maturity beyond her years to blank Tomato Ho 3-0 (7-2, 7-2, 7-5), sealing the championship before Velavan Senthilkumar even needed to step onto the court.
