The Indian Squash Team scripted history yesterday, Sunday, December 14, 2025, by winning their first-ever SDAT Squash World Cup title with a commanding 3-0 clean sweep over top seeds Hong Kong, China, in the final held in Chennai.
The victory, achieved in front of a vociferous home crowd, marks a significant leap for Indian squash, which upgraded its previous best finish of a bronze medal in the 2023 edition to gold. India now becomes only the fourth nation, and the first in Asia, to lift the prestigious World Cup trophy.
Clean Sweep in the Final
The Indian team, consisting of veteran Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and teen sensation Anahat Singh, displayed a blend of composure and clinical dominance, winning all three matches without dropping the tie.
| Match | Winner (India) | Opponent (Hong Kong) | Score |
| Women’s Singles 2 | Joshna Chinappa (World No. 79) | Ka Yi Lee (World No. 37) | 7-3, 2-7, 7-5, 7-1 |
| Men’s Singles 1 | Abhay Singh (World No. 29) | Alex Lau (World No. 42) | 7-1, 7-4, 7-4 |
| Women’s Singles 1 | Anahat Singh (World No. 28) | Tomato Ho (World No. 31) | 7-2, 7-2, 7-5 |
Match Highlights
- Chinappa’s Gritty Start: Veteran Joshna Chinappa, playing in front of her home crowd, gave India the perfect start. Despite being ranked lower than her opponent, she delivered a gritty performance, holding her nerve to edge the closely fought third game before dominating the fourth to secure the crucial first point. She called the win one of her “top five” career performances.
- Abhay Singh’s Dominance: Buoyed by Chinappa’s win, Abhay Singh produced a ruthless display against Asian champion Alex Lau, winning in straight games and ensuring India took a strong 2-0 lead in just 19 minutes.
- Anahat Seals History: The 17-year-old phenom, Anahat Singh, completed the formalities with maturity beyond her years. She sealed the historic gold medal with a dominant 3-0 win, ensuring the tie was decided without needing the fourth match.
Road to the Title
The Indian team, seeded second, maintained a remarkable record throughout the tournament, going undefeated and not losing a single tie. Their path to the title included a massive upset in the semifinals where they stunned two-time and defending champions Egypt 3-0.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were among the national leaders who congratulated the team, hailing the victory as an inspiration for youth, particularly as squash is set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
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