India men and women reach World Junior Squash Team Championships QF
Synopsis
India's junior squash contingent is through to the last eight at the World Junior Squash Team Championships in Ontario — the men after a nervy 2-1 comeback against Kuwait, the women with a ruthless 3-0 sweep of South Africa. The men now face tournament favourites England; the women take on the United States. A medal push is firmly on.
Key Takeaways
India's men's team defeated Kuwait 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinals of the World Junior Squash Team Championships in Ontario on 29 July .
Aryaveer Dewan and Gurveer Singh won their rubbers after Yusha Nafees lost the opener.
India's women's team swept South Africa 3-0 , with wins from Rudra Singh , Anahat Singh , and Saanvi Kalanki .
The men face England in the quarterfinals; the women face the United States .
Head coach Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu cited composure under pressure as the key to the men's comeback win.
India's men's and women's squash teams both advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Junior Squash Team Championships in Ontario on 29 July, delivering contrasting but equally emphatic performances to set up a compelling knockout stage.
Men's Team Edge Past Kuwait in Thriller
The fifth-seeded Indian men's team overcame an early setback to defeat 11th-seeded Kuwait 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinals. Yusha Nafees fell to a straight-games defeat against Abdullah Ali in the opening rubber, leaving India with ground to recover.
Aryaveer Dewan levelled the tie with a commanding 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 win over Khaled Walead Al Fouzain. Gurveer Singh then sealed the contest in clinical fashion, defeating Abdul Rahman Al Sanea 11-3, 11-3, 11-4 to send India through.
What the Coach Said
India head coach Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu acknowledged Kuwait's strong opening but credited his players' composure in the crunch moments. 'Abdullah came out fighting in the opening match and didn't let us settle in the first match, but that's the atmosphere that comes with team squash,' Sandhu said.
'We were fortunate that our No 1 and No 3 strings were able to come back into the tie, staying focused, and it worked out for us in the end,' he added.
Women Sweep South Africa 3-0
The Indian women's team was in a different class against South Africa, completing a dominant 3-0 sweep in the group stage. Rudra Singh opened the rout with an 11-4, 11-5, 11-3 victory over Makayla Naidoo. Anahat Singh followed with a near-flawless display, dispatching Brianna Robinson 11-1, 11-1, 11-3. Saanvi Kalanki wrapped up the clean sweep with an 11-4, 11-3, 11-3 win over Vivienne Van Der Schyff.
Quarterfinal Opponents and What's Next
The Indian men face England — among the tournament favourites — in the quarterfinals. Sandhu indicated that recent head-to-head meetings during the individual championships would help his side prepare. 'England is a very strong team. Some of our boys played them last week in the individual event. So we are ready to go back, plan well and come back strong tomorrow,' he said.
The Indian women will take on the United States in their quarterfinal. With momentum firmly on their side, both Indian teams now stand within touching distance of medals at one of junior squash's most prestigious events.
Point of View
Rather than fold, is precisely the mental template needed ahead of a match against England. The women's 3-0 sweep, with scorelines like 11-1, 11-1, tells a starker story: at the junior level, India's women are operating in a different tier. The real test comes against the US, a physically demanding opponent. If both teams reach the semifinals, it would mark a significant moment for Indian junior squash — a sport that has long punched below its weight in team formats despite producing world-class individuals.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India's men's team qualify for the World Junior Squash Team Championships quarterfinals?
India's fifth-seeded men's team defeated 11th-seeded Kuwait 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinals on 29 July in Ontario. Aryaveer Dewan and Gurveer Singh won their rubbers after Yusha Nafees lost the opening match.
Who did India's women beat to reach the quarterfinals?
India's women's team beat South Africa 3-0 in the group stage, with Rudra Singh, Anahat Singh, and Saanvi Kalanki all winning in straight games. The team advanced to the knockout stage without dropping a single game.
Who will India face in the quarterfinals?
The Indian men's team will face England, one of the tournament favourites, while the women's team will take on the United States in their respective quarterfinals.
What did India's coach say after the men's win over Kuwait?
Head coach Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu praised the team's composure after falling behind, saying the No 1 and No 3 strings stayed focused and delivered when it mattered. He described the win as hard-fought but deserved.
Where is the World Junior Squash Team Championships 2025 being held?
The World Junior Squash Team Championships is being held in Ontario, Canada. India's quarterfinal matches are scheduled to follow the pre-quarterfinal and group-stage rounds played on 29 July.
