National Doubles Squash C'ships: Abhay, Joshna eye double-title sweep in Chennai
Synopsis
Four of India's top squash players — Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa, and Rathika Seelan — are each one step away from winning two titles at the 3rd National Doubles Squash Championships in Chennai. With all four alive in both the mixed doubles and their respective gender draws, finals day could rewrite the record books for this young championship.
Key Takeaways
Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar reached the men's doubles final with a dominant 11-1, 11-6 semifinal win over Ravi Dixit / Vikas Mehra .
Both are also in the mixed doubles final, putting them in contention for a double title each.
Joshna Chinappa and Rathika Seelan topped Group A in women's doubles and reached the mixed doubles final — keeping their own double-title hopes alive.
The mixed doubles final will be an all-star affair: Senthilkumar / Chinappa vs Abhay / Rathika .
Janet Vidhi and Pooja Arthi upset second seeds Nirupama Dubey / Shameena Riaz 8-11, 12-10, 11-5 in Group B.
Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa, and Rathika Seelan are all in contention to win two titles each at the 3rd National Doubles Squash Championships, after advancing in multiple categories on Friday at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai. The day's results set up an enticing finale with several crossover finals on the cards.
Men's Doubles: Defending Champions Cruise to Final
Defending champions Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar were in commanding form in the men's doubles semifinal, dismantling Ravi Dixit and Vikas Mehra 11-1, 11-6 in a one-sided contest. The top-seeded pair controlled the rallies from the outset, combining sharp attacking shots with swift court movement to leave their opponents with little room to respond.
They will face second seeds Rahul Baitha and Suraj Kumar Chand in the final, after the latter pair edged out Guhan Senthilkumar and Sandhesh PR 11-8, 11-7 in the other semifinal. Notably, both Abhay and Senthilkumar are simultaneously alive in the mixed doubles draw, raising the prospect of a historic double for each.
Mixed Doubles: All Four Stars Reach the Final
Top seeds Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshna Chinappa booked their place in the mixed doubles final with an 11-6, 11-9 win over Rahul Baitha and Anika Dubey in a tighter-than-expected semifinal. The second game in particular required the top seeds to dig deep before pulling clear.
In the second semifinal, Abhay Singh and Rathika Seelan came through a nervy contest against Suraj Kumar Chand and Nirupama Dubey, winning 12-10, 11-7. The narrow first-game scoreline reflected how competitive the mixed draw has been at this edition. The final will pit Senthilkumar-Chinappa against Abhay-Rathika, an all-star clash that carries significant title implications across three disciplines.
Women's Doubles: Chinappa and Seelan Top Group A
The experienced pairing of Joshna Chinappa and Rathika Seelan continued their dominant run in the women's doubles, topping Group A with a convincing 11-5, 11-4 victory over Ananya Narayan and Anika Dubey. The result keeps both players firmly in the hunt for a two-title haul at this championship.
In Group B, Janet Vidhi and Pooja Arthi produced a spirited comeback to defeat second seeds Nirupama Dubey and Shameena Riaz 8-11, 12-10, 11-5, winning the final two games after dropping the opener.
Results at a Glance
Men's doubles (semifinals): Abhay Singh / Velavan Senthilkumar bt Ravi Dixit / Vikas Mehra 11-1, 11-6; Rahul Baitha / Suraj Kumar Chand bt Guhan Senthilkumar / Sandhesh PR 11-8, 11-7.
Mixed doubles (semifinals): Velavan Senthilkumar / Joshna Chinappa bt Rahul Baitha / Anika Dubey 11-6, 11-9; Abhay Singh / Rathika Seelan bt Suraj Kumar Chand / Nirupama Dubey 12-10, 11-7.
Women's doubles (round-robin): Group A: Joshna Chinappa / Rathika Seelan bt Ananya Narayan / Anika Dubey 11-5, 11-4; Group B: Janet Vidhi / Pooja Arthi bt Nirupama Dubey / Shameena Riaz 8-11, 12-10, 11-5.
With finals day approaching, all eyes will be on whether Abhay, Senthilkumar, Joshna, and Rathika can complete their respective doubles.
Point of View
Women's, and mixed draws simultaneously is a scheduling reality that smaller national circuits often face, but it also means the finals will be decided among the country's very best, guaranteeing quality if not depth. For Indian squash administrators, the more pressing question is whether the next tier — Guhan Senthilkumar, Sandhesh PR, Nirupama Dubey — is closing the gap fast enough to challenge at the next edition.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the favourites to win the men's doubles at the 3rd National Doubles Squash Championships?
Defending champions Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar are the favourites after reaching the final with a commanding 11-1, 11-6 semifinal win. They face second seeds Rahul Baitha and Suraj Kumar Chand in the title match.
Which players are in contention for two titles at the 2025 National Doubles Squash Championships?
Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa, and Rathika Seelan are all alive in both the mixed doubles final and their respective gender draws, giving each of them a realistic chance of winning two titles.
Who will contest the mixed doubles final?
Top seeds Velavan Senthilkumar and Joshna Chinappa will face Abhay Singh and Rathika Seelan in the mixed doubles final, after both pairs won their respective semifinals at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai.
How did Joshna Chinappa and Rathika Seelan fare in the women's doubles?
The experienced pair topped Group A in the women's doubles round-robin stage, beating Ananya Narayan and Anika Dubey 11-5, 11-4, and have secured a place in the women's doubles final.
Where is the 3rd National Doubles Squash Championships being held?
The championship is being held at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
