Asian Games 2026: India lose to Malaysia 2-1 in squash SF, claim bronze
Synopsis
India's men's squash team arrived at Nagoya as defending Asian Games champions but exit at the semifinal stage, losing 2-1 to Malaysia. Abhay Singh, beaten by the same player who took his individual gold, and Velavan Senthilkumar, who led but couldn't hold on in the decider, encapsulate a campaign of near-misses — still a bronze, but a clear step down from Hangzhou 2023's gold.
Key Takeaways
India lost 2-1 to Malaysia in the men's squash team semifinal at the Asian Games 2026 on 1 October 2026 .
Abhay Singh went down 3-0 to individual gold medallist Eain Yow ; Veer Chotrani won 3-0 to level the tie.
Velavan Senthilkumar lost the deciding rubber to Ameeshenraj Chandaran 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 .
Abhay Singh now holds two medals from these Games — individual silver and team bronze.
India won five medals , including men's team gold, at Hangzhou 2023 ; the 2026 bronze is a step down from that.
Malaysia will face Pakistan in the men's squash team final.
India claimed the bronze medal in the men's squash team event at the Asian Games 2026 after a 2-1 semifinal defeat to Malaysia at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena in Nagoya on 1 October 2026. The loss ended India's bid for a second successive Asian Games men's team gold, with Malaysia advancing to face Pakistan in the final.
How the Semifinal Unfolded
Abhay Singh, the individual silver medallist of these Games, opened the tie but was outplayed by Malaysia's Eain Yow — the individual gold medallist — going down 3-0 with scores of 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in just 27 minutes. The opening loss put India on the back foot immediately.
Veer Chotrani levelled the tie with a composed 3-0 win over Sanjay Jeeva, winning 11-4, 11-8, 11-5, controlling the contest from start to finish. The tie was level at 1-1 heading into the decisive rubber.
The Deciding Match: Velavan vs Chandaran
Velavan Senthilkumar faced Ameeshenraj Chandaran in the match that would determine India's fate. Velavan made an encouraging start, edging a tightly contested opening game 12-10 to give India the lead. Chandaran, however, responded with authority, winning the second game 11-6 and the third 11-8 to move ahead.
With India needing a fourth-game win to force a fifth, Velavan battled hard as scores remained close throughout. Chandaran held his nerve in the closing stages, clinching the game 11-9 — and with it, the tie 2-1 — to send Malaysia through.
Abhay Singh's Double-Medal Campaign
For Abhay Singh, the team bronze is his second medal of the 2026 Asian Games, adding to the individual silver he had secured earlier in the tournament. Notably, he faced the tough assignment of opening against Eain Yow, the very player who had beaten him to gold in the individual event.
India's Squash Record at Asian Games
India arrive at Nagoya on the back of a remarkable campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where they won five medals — including gold in the men's team and mixed doubles events. Saurav Ghosal had claimed silver in the men's singles at Hangzhou, while the women's team and mixed team settled for bronze. The 2026 bronze in the men's team event represents a step down from that gold, though the overall programme remains competitive. India's squash pipeline — headlined by Abhay and Velavan at these Games — suggests the sport retains significant depth heading into the next cycle.
Point of View
And it exposes a depth problem India has not fully resolved since Saurav Ghosal's prime years. Abhay Singh being matched against the individual gold medallist in the opener was a structural disadvantage that arguably decided the tie before Veer Chotrani could level it. India's men defended team gold at Hangzhou but drop to bronze here; the gap between the top two in Asian squash and the Indian pack is real and closing in the wrong direction. The sport needs a broader base beyond one or two headline names to reclaim the top of the podium consistently.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of India's men's squash team match at Asian Games 2026?
India lost 2-1 to Malaysia in the semifinal of the men's squash team event at the Asian Games 2026 on 1 October in Nagoya. As a result, India settled for the bronze medal while Malaysia advanced to the final against Pakistan.
Who played for India in the squash team semifinal against Malaysia?
India's three players were Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, and Velavan Senthilkumar. Chotrani was the only Indian to win his match, defeating Sanjay Jeeva 3-0.
How many medals has Abhay Singh won at the 2026 Asian Games?
Abhay Singh has won two medals at the 2026 Asian Games — an individual silver in the men's singles and a team bronze in the men's team event. He lost both the singles final and the team opener to Malaysia's Eain Yow.
How does India's 2026 squash result compare to Hangzhou 2023?
India won five medals at Hangzhou 2023, including gold in the men's team event. The 2026 bronze in the men's team event marks a step down from that gold, though India remains competitive across the region.
Who will contest the men's squash team final at Asian Games 2026?
Malaysia and Pakistan will face each other in the men's squash team final at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, after Malaysia defeated India and Pakistan won their respective semifinal.
