Asian Games 2026: Anahat, Tanvi set up all-Indian QF in women's squash
Synopsis
India's squash contingent delivered one of the sport's standout days at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya — six players through to the quarterfinals, a teenage World Cup winner in Anahat Singh breezing past her opponent in 19 minutes, and an all-Indian women's QF on the cards. With Olympic squash debuting at LA 2028, this campaign carries weight well beyond the medal tally.
Key Takeaways
Anahat Singh defeated Singapore's Au Yeong Wai Iynn 3-0 in just 19 minutes at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya .
Tanvi Khanna came from a game down to beat Au Yeong Wai Yhann 3-1 , setting up an all-Indian women's singles quarterfinal.
Abhay Singh swept past Sri Lanka's Ravindu Laksiri 3-0 in 25 minutes ; Veer Chotrani survived a 3-2 marathon lasting over an hour.
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar beat compatriots Suraj Chand and Shameena Riaz 2-0 in mixed doubles.
All six Indian players across singles and mixed doubles are through to the quarterfinals .
Squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games , raising the stakes of Asian-level performances.
Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna both advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's singles squash draw at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on Thursday, 24 September, setting up a historic all-Indian last-eight clash. India finished the day with six players across singles and mixed doubles reaching the quarterfinal stage — a strong collective showing in what is shaping up to be a landmark squash campaign at Aichi-Nagoya.
Women's Singles: All-Indian Quarterfinal Confirmed
Third seed Anahat Singh, a World Cup winner, was in clinical form against Singapore's Au Yeong Wai Iynn, wrapping up a 3-0 victory in just 19 minutes — taking the match 11-4, 11-5, 11-7. The teenage sensation dictated proceedings from the first point, giving her opponent no foothold in the contest.
Tanvi Khanna faced a sterner test against fellow Singaporean Au Yeong Wai Yhann. After dropping the opening game 5-11, Tanvi rallied superbly to take the next three 11-4, 11-5, 13-11 and seal a 3-1 win. The two Indians will now face each other for a place in the semifinals.
Men's Singles: Abhay Dominant, Veer Survives a Marathon
Abhay Singh was equally commanding in the men's draw, defeating Sri Lanka's Ravindu Laksiri 3-0 in 25 minutes with a scoreline of 11-5, 11-6, 11-0. He will next face Japan's Ryunosuke Tsukue in the quarterfinals.
In sharp contrast, Veer Chotrani was taken the distance by Malaysia's Sanjay Jeeva in a gruelling one hour and nine-minute encounter. After splitting the first four games, Veer held his nerve in the fifth to win 3-2 (11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 15-17, 11-6). He will face Pakistan's Irfan Muhammad in the quarterfinals.
Mixed Doubles: Joshna and Velavan Pip Compatriots
The experienced pairing of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar navigated an all-Indian mixed doubles tie against Suraj Chand and Shameena Riaz, prevailing 2-0 (11-7, 11-10). The second game proved tense — Suraj and Shameena clawed back from 7-9 to level at 9-9 before Joshna and Velavan closed it out.
The duo, who claimed bronze at the Asian Championships, will take on the Philippines' David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado in the quarterfinals on Friday. Notably, squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, lending additional significance to strong performances on the Asian stage.
India's Squash Campaign in Perspective
With all four singles players and the mixed doubles combination through to the last eight, India have made one of their most complete starts to a squash campaign at an Asian Games. This comes amid growing investment in the sport domestically and rising international rankings for several of the players involved. The quarterfinal day on Friday will determine how many medals India can realistically challenge for.
Point of View
But the more significant detail is structural: an all-Indian women's singles last eight at an Asian Games is rare, and it signals genuine depth rather than reliance on a single star. Anahat Singh's 19-minute dismantling of her opponent suggests she is peaking at the right time, while Veer Chotrani's ability to close out a five-game marathon under pressure is the kind of mental resilience that wins medals. With squash entering the Olympics at LA 2028, the Asian Games now doubles as a global audition — and India's bench strength here is a quiet but important statement.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Indian squash players in the 2026 Asian Games quarterfinals?
The four singles players through to the quarterfinals are Anahat Singh, Tanvi Khanna, Abhay Singh, and Veer Chotrani. In mixed doubles, Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar also advanced, taking India's total to six players in the last eight.
What is the significance of an all-Indian women's squash quarterfinal at the Asian Games?
Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna's simultaneous advancement means two Indian women will contest a quarterfinal berth against each other — a rare achievement that reflects the growing depth of women's squash in India. The winner advances to the semifinals.
How did Veer Chotrani reach the Asian Games 2026 squash quarterfinals?
Veer Chotrani defeated Malaysia's Sanjay Jeeva 3-2 in a match lasting one hour and nine minutes, recovering from losing the fourth game 15-17 to win the decider 11-6. He will face Pakistan's Irfan Muhammad in the quarterfinals.
When does squash make its Olympic debut?
Squash is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This makes strong performances at the 2026 Asian Games particularly significant as players seek to build rankings and form ahead of the first Olympic cycle.
Who do Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar face in the mixed doubles quarterfinals?
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar will face the Philippines' David Pelino and Jemyca Aribado in the quarterfinals on Friday, 25 September. The Indian pair, who won bronze at the Asian Championships, prevailed 2-0 over compatriots Suraj Chand and Shameena Riaz in the previous round.
