India Finishes Fifth at 2024 World Squash Team Championships
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Men’s Team Battles Back for Victory
In a thrilling match against Hong Kong China, Velavan Senthilkumar, ranked 45th in the world, narrowly defeated world No. 44 Henry Leung 3-2. His comeback win after being down 2-1 set the stage for Abhay Singh, ranked 54th, to seal the victory with a 3-0 win over Alex lau, the 40th-ranked player in the world. The Indian men’s team demonstrated impressive resilience throughout the tournament. After finishing second in their group, they battled their way to the quarterfinals with a victory over Malaysia. Even though they faced a setback against France, losing in the quarterfinals and missing out on a medal, a subsequent win over Germany in the 5-8 playoff match earned them a shot at the fifth spot.Women’s Team Triumphs in Decisive Match
The Indian women’s team faced a tough challenge against France in their final match. Akanksha Salunkhe, ranked 70th in the world, delivered a surprising upset against world No. 46 Marie Stephan, winning 3-0. France fought back, with Enora Villard leveling the score at 1-1 with a 3-0 victory over Nirupama Dubey. The decisive match came down to Anjali Semwal and Lauren Baltayan.In a nail-biting five-game thriller, Semwal emerged victorious 3-2, securing the seventh-place finish for the Indian women. The 16-year-old prodigy, Anahat Singh, did not participate in this final encounter. The Indian women had a remarkable run in the tournament, winning two out of their three group matches. They then pulled off a stunning upset against nine-time champions Australia in the pre-quarterfinals. Their journey ended with losses to the United States of America in the quarterfinals and England in the 5-8 playoff match, leading them to the 7-8 placement match. Despite their impressive performances, India is still striving for its first-ever medal at the World Squash Team Championships.## Indian Squash Teams Demonstrate grit and Glory at World Championships
**Archyde sports Desk:** India’s squash contingent returned home from the 2024 World Squash Team Championships in Hong Kong with a commendable fifth and seventh place finish for the men’s and women’s teams, respectively.
The Indian men, initially seeded second in their group, fought a gritty battle throughout the tournament.
“We showed real determination,” said men’s team captain Abhay singh, ranked 54th in the world. “The quarterfinal loss to France was tough,but bouncing back to secure fifth place through wins against Germany and Hong Kong shows the team spirit we have.”
The men’s squad secured their fifth-place finish with a decisive 2-0 win against Hong Kong on December 14th,setting the stage for a triumphant finish.
The women’s team delivered a remarkable performance, overcoming a ninth-time champions Australia in a stunning upset [[1](https://www.psasquashTour.com/tournament/2023-2024-psa-world-championships/)].
“The win against australia was definitely a highlight for us,” revealed women’s team captain Anjali Semwal. “It showed the progress we’ve made and instilled a lot of confidence.”
Semwal herself sealed the seventh-place finish for the women with a nail-biting five-game victory against Lauren Baltayan of France.
While both teams narrowly missed out on medals, their spirited performances and resilience throughout the tournament bode well for the future of Indian squash.
**Q:** Who secured the decisive victory for the Indian men’s team against Hong Kong China?
**A:** Abhay Singh
**Q:** Who was the highest-ranked player on the Indian men’s team?
**A:** Velavan Senthilkumar
