India men top group at World Junior Squash Team Championships, women win opener
Synopsis
India's fifth-seeded men's squash team swept both group-stage matches 3-0 to top Group 5 at the World Junior Team Championships in Ontario, while the women's side also opened with a clean 3-0 win — all this with Anahat Singh, the freshly crowned individual world junior champion, not even required to play.
Key Takeaways
India men advanced to the pre-quarterfinals as Group 5 toppers after back-to-back 3-0 wins over the Netherlands and Brazil on 27 July in Ontario .
The fifth-seeded men's squad featured Gurveer Singh , Yusha Nafees , Aryaveer Dewan , and Purav Rambhia .
India women — also seeded fifth — beat Chinese Taipei 3-0 and next face Malaysia in Group 4 .
Anahat Singh , crowned World Junior individual champion the previous day, was rested for the women's opener.
Defending champions Egypt won all their matches; host nation Canada's men lost to No.
The Indian men's squash team advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the World Squash Junior Team Championships as group toppers on 27 July in Ontario, sweeping both their group-stage matches 3-0, while the women's side also opened their campaign with a commanding victory.
Men Dominate Group 5
The fifth-seeded Indian men's team of Gurveer Singh, Yusha Nafees, and Aryaveer Dewan dismantled the Netherlands — represented by Freek Bonnema, Jesper Hempenius, and Quinten van Es — by a 3-0 margin in Group 5. Singh defeated Bonnema 11-4, 11-0, 11-2; Nafees overcame Hempenius 11-1, 11-4, 11-2; and Dewan beat van Es 11-4, 11-3, 11-5.
In the second match of the day against Brazil, Purav Rambhia stepped in for Gurveer Singh as India again swept 3-0. Rambhia defeated Bernardo Jorge Guimaraes 11-6, 11-5, 11-3; Nafees beat Matheus Frabetti 11-3, 11-2, 11-9; and Dewan dismissed Viggo Hendricks 11-7, 11-0, 11-0. The back-to-back whitewashes confirmed India's place in the pre-quarters as group leaders.
Women Open with a 3-0 Win
The Indian women's team — also seeded fifth — comprising Saanvi Kalanki, Anika Dubey, and Rudra Singh, brushed aside Chinese Taipei 3-0 in Group 4. Kalanki beat Yu-Chia Wu 11-4, 11-2, 11-3; Dubey overcame Yeuk Hei Hebe Chan 11-1, 11-6, 11-5; and Rudra Singh defeated Cordelia Wan-Ya Hsu 11-1, 11-3, 11-3. The women face Malaysia next in their group.
Notably, Anahat Singh was rested for the opening round, just a day after being crowned World Junior individual champion — a testament to India's depth in the junior women's draw.
Host Canada and Defending Champions Egypt
Host nation Canada had a mixed opening day. The women's team defeated Nigeria — making their debut in the women's team event — in straight games, while the men's side suffered a setback as No. 8 seeds Japan took control. Shu Takahashi, Ren Makino, and Shunsaku Kariyazono defeated Canada's Yusuf Matti Alvarez, Calder Murray, and No. 1 string Colten McLaughlin.
Defending champions Egypt made a near-perfect start to their title defence. The Egyptian women's team beat Brazil in straight games, while the men's team recorded victories over both the Netherlands in the morning session and New Zealand in the evening, playing twice across the day.
What Comes Next for India
With both Indian squads through their respective openers without dropping a game, momentum is firmly on their side heading into the knockout rounds. The women's next assignment against Malaysia will be a sharper test of their credentials, while the men's pre-quarter draw will determine whether India can push deeper into the tournament.
Point of View
Not just individual brilliance. The decision to rest Anahat Singh, fresh off an individual world title, reflects a confident squad rotation rather than a forced one. The real measure will come in the knockouts, where Egypt's defending men's and women's sides loom as the benchmark. If India's women can navigate Malaysia and reach the quarters, the conversation around Indian junior squash will shift from 'promising' to 'contending.'
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India's men perform at the World Junior Squash Team Championships?
India's fifth-seeded men's team topped Group 5 by winning both their matches 3-0 — defeating the Netherlands and Brazil — to advance to the pre-quarterfinals. They did not drop a single game across either contest.
Who played for India in the men's team event?
Gurveer Singh, Yusha Nafees, and Aryaveer Dewan featured against the Netherlands, with Purav Rambhia replacing Singh for the match against Brazil. Nafees and Dewan played in both matches.
Why was Anahat Singh rested for the women's team opener?
Anahat Singh was rested a day after being crowned World Junior individual champion, allowing her to recover before the team rounds. India's women still won 3-0 against Chinese Taipei without her.
Who are India's women facing next in the team championships?
The Indian women's team, seeded fifth, will next face Malaysia in Group 4 after opening with a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei.
How did defending champions Egypt start their title defence?
Egypt made a strong start, with the women's team beating Brazil in straight games and the men's team winning twice — against the Netherlands in the morning and New Zealand in the evening.
