India Reach Asian Doubles Squash Championships 2026 Men’s Final as Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar Eye Title Defence

India’s campaign at the 3rd Asian Doubles Squash Championships 2026 has received a major boost, with the men’s doubles pairing of Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar advancing to the final after a convincing straight-games victory over Malaysia. The defending champions will now take on arch-rivals Pakistan in what promises to be a highly anticipated title clash.

While the men’s duo continued their impressive run, India’s hopes in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles events came to an end in the semifinals, as Joshna Chinappa and Rathika Seelan, along with the mixed doubles pairing of Joshna and Velavan, narrowly missed out on places in their respective finals.

Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar entered the tournament as one of the favourites after beginning their title defence with a solid victory over South Korea’s Oh Seojin and Min Woo Lee in Pool A. The Indian pair won that contest 11-7, 11-10, setting the tone for another strong campaign.

Their chemistry and experience were once again evident in the semifinal against Malaysia’s Sanjay Jeeva and Duncan Lee. Displaying excellent coordination and tactical awareness, the Indian duo secured an 11-7, 11-9 victory in straight games to seal their place in the championship match.

The result underlined why Abhay and Velavan remain among Asia’s premier doubles combinations and kept alive India’s hopes of retaining the continental crown.

Standing between India and another Asian title will be Pakistan’s experienced pair of Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal. The Pakistani duo booked their place in the final after defeating Malaysia’s Ameeshenraj Chandaran and Joachim Chuah 11-8, 11-5 in a commanding semifinal performance. Earlier in the tournament, Noor and Nasir had survived a tough quarterfinal battle against South Korea before prevailing 10-12, 11-4, 11-2.

Pakistan’s pair also made headlines during the group stage by defeating India’s Rahul Baitha and Suraj Kumar Chand 11-5, 11-9 to progress to the knockout rounds.

The final between India and Pakistan adds another compelling chapter to one of Asian sport’s most intense rivalries. With both teams featuring experienced internationals and entering the match in strong form, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle for the gold medal.

India’s campaign in the women’s doubles competition ended at the semifinal stage as veteran Joshna Chinappa and Rathika Seelan fell short of reaching the final. Despite entering the tournament with high expectations, the experienced combination was unable to overcome their semifinal opponents. Nevertheless, their run to the last four demonstrated India’s competitiveness across multiple categories at the championships.

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Joshna, one of India’s most decorated squash players, once again showcased her experience and leadership, contributing significantly to the team’s overall campaign.

Joshna Chinappa returned to action in the mixed doubles draw alongside Velavan Senthilkumar, but the pair also saw their campaign conclude in the semifinals. Having balanced commitments across two disciplines, both players displayed admirable consistency throughout the tournament before narrowly missing out on a place in the title match. Although disappointment accompanies semifinal exits, India’s presence in the latter stages across multiple events reflects the country’s growing strength in doubles squash.

Strong Overall Campaign for India

The standout story from the Indian perspective remains the continued excellence of Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar. Their ability to defend their title successfully through the early rounds has reaffirmed their status as one of Asia’s leading doubles pairs.

Their performances have been characterised by disciplined court positioning, effective communication and the ability to seize key moments under pressure. Those qualities will be crucial against a confident Pakistani team that has also impressed throughout the tournament.

Meanwhile, the performances of Rahul Baitha, Suraj Kumar Chand, Joshna Chinappa and Rathika Seelan contribute valuable experience and highlight the increasing depth within Indian squash.

The upcoming men’s doubles final offers India an opportunity to retain the Asian title and further strengthen its standing in regional squash. A victory over Pakistan would not only complete a successful title defence for Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar but also provide another significant achievement for Indian squash on the continental stage.

The matchup is expected to feature contrasting styles, with India’s attacking precision set against Pakistan’s resilient and experienced pairing of Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal.

As the championship reaches its climax, Indian fans will be hoping that Abhay and Velavan can cap off an impressive week by overcoming their rivals and bringing home another Asian doubles crown. Regardless of the outcome, India’s performances across the tournament demonstrate that the nation continues to be a formidable force in Asian squash, with both established stars and emerging talent capable of competing with the best in the region.