Mumbai, Dec 14 – In a stunning display at Chennai’s Express Avenue Mall, India captured the Squash World Cup 2025 title after defeating Egypt 3‑0 in the opening round. National champions Velavan Senthilkumar and Anahat Singh topped their respective brackets, pushing the host nation into the final for the first time in its history.
Senthilkumar, ranked 45th among men, opened with a decisive 7‑1, 7‑3, 7‑6 win over world No. 96 Ibrahim Elkabbani, while Anahat, the 17‑year‑old debutant and youngest contender, forced a five‑game battle to secure a 6‑7, 7‑5, 7‑3, 3‑7, 7‑3 victory against 44th‑ranked Nour Heikal, putting India ahead 2‑0. Abhay Singh capped the day by defeating Adam Hawal 3‑1 (7‑5, 6‑7, 7‑5, 7‑6), clinching the trophy with a historic result.
With India’s triumph, Japan’s Nardine Garas’s match against Joshna Chinappa was rendered unnecessary. The win marks India’s best finish ever at the Squash World Cup, surpassing the bronze medal in 2023, and sets up a gold‑medal showdown with Hong Kong (China) on Sunday at the Indian Squash Academy.
During the group stage, the Indians swept Switzerland and Brazil 4‑0, then overcame South Africa 3‑0 in the quarter‑finals. The 2025 edition, the fifth overall and third consecutively in Chennai, featured twelve nations divided into four groups of three, with the top two teams from each group advancing.
This achievement eclipses India’s previous semifinal run in 2023 and their bronze medal win in 2021, confirming that the 2025 campaign is the most successful World Cup performance to date. bsk/
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