Ontario, July 29: India’s men’s and women’s squash teams have made a remarkable entry into the quarterfinals of the World Junior Squash Championship. The men’s team triumphed over Kuwait with a score of 2-1 in the pre-quarterfinals, while the women’s team secured a commanding 3-0 victory against South Africa in their final group match.
The fifth-seeded Indian men’s team faced a tough challenge against Kuwait. The match did not start favorably for India, as Yusha Nafees lost to Kuwait’s Abdullah Ali in straight games. However, the Indian players rallied back impressively.
In the second match, Aryaveer Diwan showcased excellent skills, defeating Khalid Walid Al-Fawzan with scores of 11-5, 11-6, and 11-5, leveling the match at 1-1. In the decisive match, Gurveer Singh delivered a stellar performance, overcoming Abdul Rahman Al-Sania with scores of 11-3, 11-3, and 11-4, securing a 2-1 victory for India.
After the win, Indian team head coach Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu praised the players. He acknowledged that Abdullah Ali from Kuwait played exceptionally well in the first match, putting India under early pressure. Nonetheless, the other team members maintained their composure and executed a brilliant comeback.
Looking ahead, the Indian men’s team will face a formidable England in the quarterfinals. Sandhu noted that England is a strong team, but his players have competed against them in individual events over the past week. This experience will help the team devise effective strategies for the upcoming match.
On the other hand, the Indian women’s team achieved a one-sided victory against South Africa. In the first match, Rudra Singh defeated Makayla Naidoo with scores of 11-4, 11-5, and 11-3, giving India an early lead. Star player Anahat Singh followed up with an impressive win over Briana Robinson, scoring 11-1, 11-1, and 11-3. In the third match, Sanvi Kalanki secured the victory against Vivienne Van Der Schijf with scores of 11-4, 11-3, and 11-3, ensuring a 3-0 win for India.
With this outstanding performance, the Indian women’s team concluded the group stage on a high note and enters the knockout rounds with confidence. They will now face the United States in the quarterfinals.
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