Get ready for some high-octane action! The Squash World Cup 2025 is set to ignite Chennai, and the anticipation is building. India's squad, a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, is gearing up to compete against the world's best. Let's dive into the details!
India's team will be spearheaded by the dynamic Anahat Singh, along with Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Velavan Senthilkumar. This year marks the fifth edition of the tournament, and the third time Chennai has been chosen as the host city.
For those eager to catch the matches, you can watch the Squash World Cup 2025 live on Olympics.com.
The competition will feature 12 nations, including defending champions Egypt and runners-up Malaysia, battling it out for the mixed-team title.
Anahat Singh, currently ranked world No. 29, is poised to make her World Cup debut at just 17 years old, making her the youngest player in the tournament. On the other hand, veteran Joshna Chinappa, at 39, is returning to the court after helping India secure a bronze medal in 2023, the nation's best performance in the event to date. The duo also clinched a gold medal at the Asian Squash Doubles Championship earlier this year.
Abhay Singh, ranked world No. 28, and Velavan Senthilkumar, also making his debut, complete the Indian men's team. They've already tasted success, representing India in the 2024 and 2025 Asian Doubles Squash Championships, and the 2022 Men’s Asian Squash Team Championships.
The teams are divided into four pools (A to D) for the group stages, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarter-finals. There will also be classification matches to determine the final rankings.
Here's a breakdown of the pools:
- Pool A: Hong Kong China, South Africa, Republic of Korea
- Pool B: India, Brazil, Switzerland
- Pool C: Malaysia, Australia, Poland
- Pool D: Japan, Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran
The Squash World Cup Format
Each team will consist of two men and two women. Matches follow the structure introduced in 2023, with ties consisting of four best-of-five-game matches. Each game is a race to 7 points, with sudden death at 6-6. Woman #1 and Man #1 matches are worth two points each, while Woman #2 and Man #2 matches are worth one point each. Knockout ties are decided on game difference if teams are even on points.
A Bit of History
The Squash World Cup began in 1996, with Australia taking the inaugural title in Malaysia. England won in 1999, and Egypt secured the title in 2011, also in Chennai. After a 12-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2023, with Egypt once again emerging victorious. This year's tournament will feature four more teams than the 2023 edition.
Where to Watch
Live streaming of the Squash World Cup 2025 matches will be available on Olympics.com. Unfortunately, there will be no live telecast on any TV channel in India.
Indian Squad
- Men: Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar
- Women: Anahat Singh, Joshna Chinappa
Squash World Cup 2025 Schedule:
(All in India Standard Times - IST)
What are your thoughts on India's chances? Do you think the format is fair? Share your opinions in the comments below!
