For years, squash remained one of India’s most underrated sports. Played inside four walls with blistering pace, razor-sharp reflexes and relentless endurance, the game quietly produced world-class athletes even when it struggled for mainstream attention. Today, however, India stands among Asia’s strongest squash nations, boasting international champions, Commonwealth and Asian Games medals, a historic World Cup triumph, and a new generation of players ready to challenge the world’s elite.
A Brief History of Squash in India
Squash was introduced in India during the British colonial era, with the first courts built inside military clubs and gymkhanas. For decades, the sport remained limited to metropolitan clubs before gradually expanding through schools, academies and national tournaments.
The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) now governs the sport, organizing national championships, junior circuits and PSA-sanctioned events while nurturing future stars through academies, particularly in Chennai, which has become India’s squash capital.
Understanding the Game
Squash is played between two players (singles) or four players (doubles) inside a four-walled court. Players alternately strike a hollow rubber ball against the front wall, ensuring it remains within the legal boundaries.
Scoring Format
Matches are played in a best-of-five games format.
Each game is played to 11 points.
If the score reaches 10-10, a player must win by two clear points.
Every rally earns a point, irrespective of who served.
Squash is widely regarded as one of the world’s most physically demanding sports because it combines speed, stamina, agility and tactical intelligence.
The Players Who Changed Indian Squash
Saurav Ghosal – The Pioneer
No discussion about Indian squash is complete without Saurav Ghosal. He became the first Indian man to break into the PSA World Top 20, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 10 later in his career after previously becoming the country’s first male top-20 player. He won multiple PSA titles and inspired an entire generation of Indian professionals.
Joshna Chinappa – India’s Queen of Squash
Joshna Chinappa rewrote history by becoming India’s most successful women’s national champion, surpassing the long-standing record of 16 national titles. Alongside Dipika Pallikal, she won India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games squash gold medal in women’s doubles in 2014.
Dipika Pallikal
Dipika Pallikal became the first Indian woman to enter the PSA World Top 10, opening doors for women’s squash in the country. Her aggressive style and international success transformed the sport’s popularity in India.
India’s Greatest Achievements
Indian squash has enjoyed several landmark moments:
Commonwealth Games 2014: Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal won India’s first-ever squash gold medal.
Asian Games 2014: India’s men’s team captured a historic gold medal, while the women’s team claimed silver.
World Junior Championships: Kush Kumar became India’s first male medallist.
Commonwealth Youth Games: Velavan Senthilkumar won bronze.
In 2025, India created history by winning its first-ever Squash World Cup, defeating Hong Kong 3-0 in the final in Chennai. The victorious team featured Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar and Anahat Singh.
India’s New Generation is Here
Indian squash is witnessing unprecedented depth.
Abhay Singh has emerged as one of the country’s leading men’s players and claimed the 2026 Indian Open title after defeating Veer Chotrani 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 in the final.
Teen sensation Anahat Singh is regarded as India’s brightest squash prospect. A Commonwealth Games participant at just 14, she won two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Games, became India’s No. 1 woman in 2025, and successfully defended her 2026 Indian Open title by defeating Egypt’s Hana Moataz 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6. She has also broken into the world’s top-20 rankings, strengthening India’s Olympic hopes.
Other leading Indian professionals include Ramit Tandon, Velavan Senthilkumar, Veer Chotrani, Harinder Pal Sandhu, Tanvi Khanna, and several promising juniors emerging through the SRFI circuit.
Why Chennai is India’s Squash Hub
Most of India’s elite squash players have trained in Chennai, thanks to its world-class coaching ecosystem, PSA tournaments and competitive junior structure. The city continues to produce international-standard athletes year after year and remains the backbone of Indian squash development.
The Road Ahead
Squash will make its long-awaited Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, giving Indian players a historic opportunity to compete for Olympic medals for the first time. With experienced campaigners mentoring a fearless new generation led by Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh, Ramit Tandon and Velavan Senthilkumar, India is no longer chasing the world’s best—it is becoming one of them.
Indian squash has travelled a remarkable journey—from exclusive club courts to global podiums. The sport now possesses the talent, infrastructure and momentum to dream bigger than ever before. As the countdown to LA28 begins, India’s squash revolution may just be entering its golden era.
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