India’s Squash Teams Secure Asian Games Medals as Men and Women Reach Semifinals

India’s squash campaign at the 2026 Asian Games has produced medals in both the men’s and women’s team events, with the two sides advancing to the semifinals after convincing quarterfinal victories on Wednesday.

The defending champion men’s team defeated Kuwait 2-0, while the women’s team produced an identical 2-0 result against Singapore. The victories guaranteed India at least a bronze medal in both team competitions and kept both squads in contention for a place in the finals.

For the women, Tanvi Khanna and 18-year-old Anahat Singh completed the job without requiring a deciding third match. The men similarly wrapped up their tie through their two singles matches, with Veer Chotrani and Abhay Singh delivering the required victories.

Tanvi Khanna was given the responsibility of opening India’s women’s quarterfinal against Singapore and responded with a hard-fought four-game victory over Au Yeong Wai Iynn. The Indian won 11-6 in the opening game, but Singapore responded immediately as Wai Iynn levelled the contest with an 11-4 second-game win.

The third game became the pivotal phase of the match. Tanvi eventually prevailed 15-13 in a tense battle before closing out the contest emphatically, taking the fourth game 11-1. The 32-minute match gave India the first point of the tie, but it also demonstrated the importance of handling pressure in a team-event knockout match. The 15-13 third game was the decisive swing, preventing Singapore from taking control of the contest.

Tanvi's ability to recover after dropping the second game gave India the platform it needed.

Anahat Singh then stepped onto court knowing that a victory would send India into the semifinals without the need for a third match. The 18-year-old delivered exactly that. Anahat defeated Au Yeong Wai Yhann 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 in just 22 minutes. After a relatively competitive opening game, the Indian took control of the match and conceded only seven points across the final two games.

The straight-games victory completed India's 2-0 quarterfinal win and secured the women's team a medal. Anahat had already won silver in the individual competition at these Asian Games, and her contribution has now extended into the team event. Veteran Joshna Chinappa, who also has a bronze from the mixed doubles competition, did not need to take the court in the quarterfinal.

India had entered the knockout stage after a strong Pool C campaign, defeating China and Japan before blanking Iran 3-0 in their final group-stage match on Tuesday. The women's semifinal is scheduled for Thursday.

Men’s Team Continues Title Defence

The Indian men's team, top seed and defending champions, also needed only two matches to eliminate Kuwait. Veer Chotrani opened the tie against Bader Almogghrebi and was forced into a prolonged battle before securing a 12-10, 8-11, 11-0, 11-5 victory in 34 minutes. The first two games were closely contested, with Chotrani edging the opener before Kuwait levelled the match. The third game proved to be the turning point. Chotrani responded with an 11-0 shutout, shifting the momentum decisively in India's favour.

He then completed the win by taking the fourth game 11-5. With India one victory away from the semifinals, Abhay Singh provided the decisive second point. The Indian, who had already won silver in the individual competition, produced a controlled straight-games performance against Ammar Altamimi. Abhay won 11-3, 11-4, 11-8 to complete India's 2-0 victory.

The quarterfinal results underline India's strength across the squash team events. Both squads progressed without dropping a tie in the quarterfinal stage, although the men's team had to negotiate a longer opening contest through Chotrani. For the women, Tanvi's recovery from the second-game loss and Anahat's rapid three-game finish ensured there was no opportunity for Singapore to force a deciding match.

India now has both its men's and women's squash teams in the Asian Games semifinals, guaranteeing medals in each event. The next challenge will be considerably more demanding, with the knockout stage moving into the medal rounds. The Indian men will face Malaysia in the semifinal, while the women's semifinal is scheduled for Thursday.

After individual silver medals for Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh earlier in the Games, India's squash campaign has now added two team medals to the tally. The semifinals will determine whether those medals remain bronze or move one step higher.