Asian Games 2023: India squash teams storm into semis, medals assured
Synopsis
India pulled off a squash double at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on 30 September, with both the men's and women's teams advancing to the semifinals. The defending champion men's side beat Kuwait 2-0 while the women downed Singapore 2-0 — guaranteeing India at least two more medals on top of an already impressive haul that includes silvers for Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh.
Key Takeaways
India's men's and women's squash teams both reached the Asian Games 2023 semifinals on 30 September in Nagoya .
The top-seeded men's side defeated Kuwait 2-0 ; Abhay Singh won his rubber 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 .
The women's team beat Singapore 2-0 , with Tanvi Khanna winning 11-6, 4-11, 15-13, 11-1 and Anahat Singh sealing the tie.
India's confirmed squash medals: silver — Abhay Singh (men's singles), Anahat Singh (women's singles); bronze — Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar (mixed doubles).
Both team semifinal berths add at least two more medals to India's squash tally at Aichi-Nagoya .
India's squash contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games delivered a commanding double on Wednesday, 30 September, as both the men's and women's teams powered into the semifinals at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena. The back-to-back quarterfinal victories guarantee India at least two more medals in the team events, adding further lustre to an already impressive squash haul in Nagoya.
Men's Team: Defending Champions March On
The top-seeded Indian men's side — and defending Asian Games champions — dispatched Kuwait 2-0 to book their semifinal berth. The campaign had opened with a dominant 3-0 demolition of China in Pool A, with Suraj Kumar Chand, Veer Chotrani, and Velavan Senthilkumar each winning their individual rubbers.
Against Kuwait, Chotrani faced a stiff challenge from Bader Almogghrebi in the opening rubber. He dropped the second game before regrouping to seal the match 12-10, 8-11, 11-0, 11-5 in 34 minutes. Abhay Singh, ranked highest among the Indian men, then stepped up with India needing just one more win and delivered a clinical 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 victory over Ammar Altamimi, wrapping up the tie without a deciding rubber.
Notably, Abhay Singh has been one of India's standout performers throughout the Nagoya campaign. He reached the men's singles final, having defeated Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan in the semifinal, before securing the silver medal.
Women's Team: Tanvi and Anahat Power Past Singapore
The Indian women's team was equally authoritative, defeating Singapore 2-0 in their quarterfinal. Tanvi Khanna set the tone in the opening rubber against Au Yeong Wai Iynn, grinding through a closely contested first three games before pulling clear in the fourth to win 11-6, 4-11, 15-13, 11-1 in 32 minutes. Anahat Singh then completed the formalities in the second rubber, sealing India's passage to the last four.
India's Growing Squash Medal Tally
The twin semifinal qualifications build on an already productive squash programme for India at Aichi-Nagoya. The country's confirmed medals in the sport now include a silver for Abhay Singh in men's singles, a silver for Anahat Singh in women's singles, and a bronze for the pair of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar in mixed doubles.
What Comes Next
With both teams through to the semifinals, India's squash contingent is now positioned to compete for gold across two team disciplines. The defending men's champions remain firmly on course for another final appearance, while the women's team will look to convert their guaranteed podium finish into a shot at the gold-medal match. The semifinal draws will determine India's next opponents as the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games squash programme enters its decisive phase.
Point of View
Anahat Singh carrying the women's singles burden at a young age, and Joshna Chinappa still contributing in mixed doubles. The real question after Nagoya is whether this performance accelerates institutional investment in squash infrastructure back home, or whether the sport returns to relative neglect once the medals are counted. India has a habit of celebrating multi-sport hauls without converting the momentum into sustained programme funding.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India's men's squash team reach the Asian Games 2023 semifinals?
India's top-seeded men's team defeated Kuwait 2-0 in the quarterfinals at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena on 30 September. Veer Chotrani won the opening rubber 12-10, 8-11, 11-0, 11-5 and Abhay Singh sealed the tie with an 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 win over Ammar Altamimi.
How did India's women's squash team qualify for the semifinals?
The women's team beat Singapore 2-0 in their quarterfinal. Tanvi Khanna won 11-6, 4-11, 15-13, 11-1 and Anahat Singh clinched the second rubber to send India through to the last four.
What medals has India won in squash at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games?
India's confirmed squash medals include silvers for Abhay Singh in men's singles and Anahat Singh in women's singles, plus a bronze for Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar in mixed doubles. Both team semifinal berths guarantee at least two additional medals.
Who are India's key squash players at the 2023 Asian Games?
Abhay Singh has been the standout performer, reaching the men's singles final and winning a silver. Anahat Singh claimed silver in women's singles. Tanvi Khanna, Veer Chotrani, Velavan Senthilkumar, Suraj Kumar Chand, and Joshna Chinappa have all contributed to the team and doubles campaigns.
Are India's squash teams favourites to win gold in the team events?
The men's team, as defending champions and top seeds, are strong contenders for gold. The women's team has also guaranteed a podium finish and will be aiming to reach the gold-medal match from the semifinals.
