2409:4060:419:B191:F45B:5DC4:1D1A:25A4 at 16:34, 4 August 2021

2021-08-04T16:34:35Z

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{{short description|Sport in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox sport overview
| image = File:Tough return, 365.35.jpg
| imagesize = 
| image_alt = 
| caption = A women's squash match
| union = [[Squash Rackets Federation of India]] (SRFI)
| country = India
| sport = Squash
| teamlabel1 = 
| nationalteam = [[India men's national squash team|Men]]<br />
[[India women's national squash team|Women]]
| nickname = 
| first = 
| registered = 
| clubs = 
| national_list = 
| club_list = 
| intl_list = 
| match = 
| league = 
}}

[[Squash (sport)|Squash]] is a popular recreational sport in [[India]], and is gaining popularity as a competitive sport.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=A Study on Squash in India|url=https://www.iismworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Squash-Report-1.pdf|publisher=International Institute of Sports Management}}</ref> It is governed by the [[Squash Rackets Federation of India]]. The [[India men's national squash team]] has participated in three quarter finals of the [[World Team Squash Championships]] since 1967.

[[Dipika Pallikal Karthik]], [[Joshna Chinappa|Joshna Chinnappa]] and [[Saurav Ghosal]] are among the top ranked Indian squash players. Dipika was the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 [[Official Women's Squash World Ranking]] in 2012.<ref name="top10ranking" /> Saurav achieved his career high rank of 15 to become the highest ranked Indian male player in 2013.<ref name=":6" /> The current national champion in men's discipline is Saurav Ghosal; in women's, it is Joshna Chinappa.<ref name=":7" />

== History ==
===Early history===
[[File:Dipika Pallikal (India) defeated Jaclyn Hawkes (New Zealand) in the women's semifinals 06 (cropped).jpg|alt=Dipika Pallikal|thumb|[[Dipika Pallikal Karthik]] in 2012]]
[[Squash (sport)|Squash]] was introduced to India by the [[British Armed Forces]]; the sport has been played before World War I.<ref name=":2" /> During the period of the British rule, it was largely adopted by British colonies around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Squash|url=https://www.squashplayer.co.uk/history_of_squash.htm|website=squashplayer.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127064842/http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/history_of_squash.htm|archive-date=27 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=History of Squash in India|url=https://sportspages.in/blog/history-of-squash-in-india/|date=2016-11-26|website=SportsPages|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref> Most [[military base]]s had squash courts built to entertain officers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=History - Squash Rackets Federation of India|url=https://www.indiasquash.com/about-history.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026184253/http://www.indiasquash.com/about-history.aspx|archive-date=26 October 2019|access-date=2020-05-18|website=indiasquash.com}}</ref> They can still be found in some army facilities in India.<ref name=":1" /> The [[British Raj]] restricted the use of the facilities to the upper class of society.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dearth of public squash clubs in India|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/squash/dearth-of-public-squash-clubs-in-india|last=jaiswaladitya|date=2014-09-16|website=sportskeeda.com|language=en-us|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325205134/http://www.sportskeeda.com/squash/dearth-of-public-squash-clubs-in-india|archive-date=25 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Therefore, only those who were from the army or members of private clubs had access to squash in India.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

The [[Squash Rackets Federation of India]] (SRFI) was formed to oversee squash in India. It conducts training camps, state and national tournaments, and the National Squash Championship. The SRFI is in charge of selecting the squad and coaches for the Indian national team. In 1990, it established the [[Indian Squash Academy]]. According to the SRFI, squash is established in only 19 states and 4 union territories.<ref name=":0" />

In December 2012, squash player [[Dipika Pallikal Karthik]] achieved a career-best rank of 10.<ref name="top10ranking" /> She became the first female squash player to be conferred with the [[Arjuna Award]], India's second highest sporting award, in the year 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vijay Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt conferred Khel Ratna; 25 get Arjuna awards - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Vijay-Kumar-Yogeshwar-Dutt-conferred-Khel-Ratna-25-get-Arjuna-awards/articleshow/15947093.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123133122/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Vijay-Kumar-Yogeshwar-Dutt-conferred-Khel-Ratna-25-get-Arjuna-awards/articleshow/15947093.cms|archive-date=23 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in December 2013, [[Saurav Ghosal]] became the first Indian male squash player to reach the top 20 by achieving a career-best rank of 15.<ref name=":6" /> He was also awarded the Arjuna Award by the president of India in August 2007.

===Competition history===
In December 2014, Dipika Pallikal and [[Joshna Chinappa]] defeated [[Jenny Duncalf]] and [[Laura Massaro]] to claim India's first-ever gold medal in squash at the [[Commonwealth Games]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=CWG 2014: Dipika Pallikal, Joshna Chinappa bag India’s maiden squash gold|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/cwg-2014-dipika-pallikal-joshna-chinappa-bag-indias-maiden-squash-gold-1646917.html|website=Firstpost|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201061459/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/cwg-2014-dipika-pallikal-joshna-chinappa-bag-indias-maiden-squash-gold-1646917.html|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[2014 Asian Games]], the Indian men's national team clinched gold; the women's earned their first silver.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian Games: Indian men's squash team wins gold|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/asian-games-2014/story/asian-games-2014-india-men-squash-team-wins-historic-asiad-gold-301176-2014-09-27|author=IANS|website=India Today|language=en|date=2014-09-27|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121815/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/asian-games-2014/story/asian-games-2014-india-men-squash-team-wins-historic-asiad-gold-301176-2014-09-27|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal, with a silver and bronze respectively in the individual events, signed off with their best medal haul in the Asian Games. The men's team, led by Saurav Ghosal, clinched the historic gold after edging out Malaysia in the individual finals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian Games 2014 Squash medalists receive pompous welcome on returning to India|url=https://www.india.com/asian-games-2014/asian-games-2014-squash-medalists-receive-pompous-welcome-on-returning-to-india-161610/|last=Service|first=Indo-Asian News|date=2014-09-30|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> At the 2014 WSF World Junior Championship, [[Kush Kumar]] became the first male squash player from India to reach the semifinal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asianet-Breaking News|url=https://www.asianet.in/featured/kush-kumar-first-indian-to-reach-semis-of-world-junior-squash.html|website=asianet.in|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> He made history by winning the first ever bronze medal for India at a World Junior Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kush Kumar – Home of WSF World Junior Squash Championships|url=https://www.wsfworldjuniors.com/tag/kush-kumar/|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702073726/https://www.wsfworldjuniors.com/tag/kush-kumar/|archive-date=2 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

At 2015, [[Velavan Senthilkumar]] won a bronze medal in the boys singles event in squash at the [[2015 Commonwealth Youth Games]] held in Samoa.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Velavan Senthilkumar Settles for Squash Bronze in Commonwealth Youth Games |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/other-sports/velavan-senthilkumar-settles-for-squash-bronze-in-commonwealth-youth-games-1494403|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> Velavan Senthilkumar and [[Harshit Jawanda]] won silver in the mixed doubles competition.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Press Trust of India|date=2015-09-10|title=India wins squash silver at CYG|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-wins-squash-silver-at-cyg-115091000797_1.html|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722224248/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-wins-squash-silver-at-cyg-115091000797_1.html|archive-date=22 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, both the men's and women's national teams won gold at the [[2016 South Asian Games]] in Guwahati. In the men's individual events, Saurav Ghosal and [[Harinder Pal Sandhu]] won bronze after losing to arch-rival Pakistan; in the women's event, top seed Joshna Chinappa won gold after defeating her Pakistani rival [[Sadia Gul]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian men squash players bite dust against Pakistan at South Asian Games|url=https://www.news18.com/news/other-sports/indian-men-squash-players-bite-dust-against-pakistan-at-south-asian-games-1200338.html|date=2016-02-07|website=News18|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref>

In 2017, Indian doubles pair Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal won bronze after losing to English pair [[Jenny Duncalf]] and [[Alison Waters]] in the semifinals of the WSF World Doubles Squash Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal get bronze medal at world doubles squash championships|url=https://scroll.in/field/846199/joshna-chinappa-and-dipika-pallikal-get-bronze-medal-at-world-doubles-squash-championships|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> In May 2017, Joshna Chinappa became the first Indian to clinch the Asian Squash title after beating compatriot Dipika Pallikal Karthik in the women’s final.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Joshna Chinappa is Asian champion, Max Lee takes men's title|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/sports/2017/may/01/joshna-chinappa-is-asian-champion-max-lee-takes-mens-title-1176.html|website=indulgexpress.com|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618132514/http://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/sports/2017/may/01/joshna-chinappa-is-asian-champion-max-lee-takes-mens-title-1176.html|archive-date=18 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian title my biggest achievement: Joshna Chinappa|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/asian-title-my-biggest-achievement-joshna-chinappa/1040024|website=outlookindia.com|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> This tournament was held at [[Express Avenue]] shopping mall in an all-glass court set up inside.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian Squash C’ship matches shifted to Indian Squash Academy after damage in court|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/squash/asian-squash-cship-matches-shifted-to-indian-squash-academy-after-damage-in-court/article18259260.ece|last=Senthil|first=Anjana|website=Sportstar|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref>

During the [[2018 Asian Games]], Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal, and Joshna Chinappa won bronze in their respective singles events.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian Games 2018: Saurav Ghosal Brings Home Squash Bronze After Losing In Semis |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/asian-games-2018/aisan-games-2018-saurav-ghosal-brings-home-bronze-after-losing-in-semis-1906159|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826121143/https://sports.ndtv.com/asian-games-2018/aisan-games-2018-saurav-ghosal-brings-home-bronze-after-losing-in-semis-1906159|archive-date=26 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Tournaments ==
The SRFI conducts tournaments from the National to Junior levels in India. The premier competition that takes place annually is the National Squash Championship.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Squash Rackets Federation of India|url=https://www.indiasquash.com/tournamentinfo.aspx?tid=423|website=indiasquash.com|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Senior National Squash Championship: Joshna Chinappa wins record 17th title, Mahesh Mangaoker clinches men's crown|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/senior-national-squash-championship-joshna-chinappa-wins-record-17th-title-mahesh-mangaoker-clinches-mens-crown-6822971.html|website=Firstpost|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713195010/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/senior-national-squash-championship-joshna-chinappa-wins-record-17th-title-mahesh-mangaoker-clinches-mens-crown-6822971.html|archive-date=13 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Other major tournaments include Sub Junior National Championship, Junior National Championship, Mumbai Masters Open, and Indian Junior Open.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Squash Rackets Federation of India|url=https://www.indiasquash.com/tournament-calendar.aspx|website=indiasquash.com|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029135929/http://www.indiasquash.com/tournament-calendar.aspx|archive-date=29 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== National Squash Championship ===
The National Squash Championship is a seven star ranking event conducted annually.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Championship Guidelines 2018|url=https://www.indiasquash.com/pdf/Championship%20Guidelines%202018.pdf|publisher=The Squash Rackets Federation of India|date=May 2018|website=indiasquash.com|access-date=22 May 2020}}</ref> As of February 2020, it has been held 7 time, usually in February or June.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa, representing the Indian state of [[Tamil Nadu]], are the current champions, after defeating Abhishek Pradhan and [[Urwashi Joshi]] in the finals of the 2020 edition.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Indian Nationals Finals|url=http://thesquashsite.com/indian-nationals-2020|last=stevecubbins|date=2020-02-15|website=SquashSite - all about Squash|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506125910/http://thesquashsite.com/indian-nationals-2020|archive-date=6 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The total prize money of the edition was {{INRConvert|12|l|lk=yes}}.<ref name=":4" />

=== Other events ===
In 2011, the SRFI conducted the WSF World Cup between March 8 and March 12.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SDAT WSF Squash World Cup 2011, 08-12 Mar, Chennai|url=http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/worldcup2011.htm|website=squashsite.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926230121/http://www.squashsite.co.uk/2009/worldcup2011.htm|archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WSF Hails World Cup Success In Chennai|url=http://www.worldsquash.org/wsf-hails-world-cup-success-in-chennai/|date=2011-03-15|website=World Squash|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref> It was initially scheduled to be held at the ICL-TNSRA Squash Academy, but moved to an all-glass court erected at the Express Avenue mall.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Squash world cup in Chennai from March 8|url=https://zeenews.india.com/sports/others/squash-world-cup-in-chennai-from-march-8_690170.html|date=2011-02-27|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> The first seed, Egypt won the event by beating the second seed, England.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Egypt bangs England to gain Squash World Cup|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/2011/mar/13/egypt-bangs-england-to-gain-squash-world-cup-235092.html|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref>

In 2012, inaugural edition of U-21 World Cup was held in Chennai at the Express Avenue mall. It was supported by the Sports Development of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U-21 squash World Cup in Chennai - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/U-21-squash-World-Cup-in-Chennai/articleshow/8750450.cms|website=The Times of India|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> Egypt beat India in finals to win the event.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WSF Under 21 Squash World Cup|url=http://www.squashsite.co.uk/worldcup/|website=squashsite.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715112614/http://www.squashsite.co.uk/worldcup/|archive-date=15 July 2012|publisher=World Squash Federation|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Top players ==
Some Indian players have found success in the international competitions. As of 2018, 24 Indian players were in [[Official Men's Squash World Ranking|PSA's]] top 500 rankings. Nine were in top 100.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SQUASH SPORT INDIA|url=https://www.goplaysport.co/squash.html|website=GoPlaySport India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref> Saurav Ghosal became the first Indian male squash player to reach the top 20 after achieving a career best of ranking of 15 in 2013.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Saurav Ghosal becomes first Indian to reach quarters of World Squash Championships|publisher=NDTV Sports|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/216336-saurav-ghosal-becomes-first-indian-to-reach-quarters-of-world-squash-championships|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214133735/http://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/othersports/216336-saurav-ghosal-becomes-first-indian-to-reach-quarters-of-world-squash-championships|archive-date=14 December 2013|access-date=31 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In women's discipline, Dipika Pallikal became the first Indian woman to reach the top 10 after achieving a career-best of ranking of 10.<ref name="top10ranking">{{cite web|title=Dipika Pallikal is first Indian to break into top 10|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dipika-pallikal-is-first-indian-to-break-into-top-10/1039028/|date=1 January 2012|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212003807/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dipika-pallikal-is-first-indian-to-break-into-top-10/1039028|archive-date=12 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Former player [[Bhuvneshwari Kumari]] held the most national championship titles (16) until 2019, when Joshna Chinappa broke her record.<ref name=":3" />

=== Highest ranked players ===
Highest-ranked Indian players by career high in PSA World Squash Rankings, as of May 2020.
{| class="wikitable"
!Player Name
!Discipline
!Best ranking
|-
|[[Dipika Karthik]]
| rowspan="2" |Women's
|10
|-
|[[Joshna Chinappa]]
|10
|-
|[[Saurav Ghosal]]
| rowspan="5" |Men's
|11
|-
|[[Mahesh Mangaonkar]]
|44
|-
|[[Ramit Tandon]]
|46
|-
|[[Harinder Pal Sandhu]]
|47
|-
|[[Vikram Malhotra]]
|47
|-
| colspan="3" |<small>Sources:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Squash Info {{!}} Women's PSA World Squash Rankings (May 2020) {{!}} Squash|url=http://www.squashinfo.com/rankings/women/ind|website=squashinfo.com|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Squash Info {{!}} Men's PSA World Squash Rankings (May 2020) {{!}} Squash|url=http://www.squashinfo.com/rankings/men/ind|website=squashinfo.com|access-date=2020-05-18}}</ref></small>
|}

==Total medals won by Indian Squash Players in Major tournaments==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Competition
! Gold
! Silver
! Bronze
! Total
|-
|[[Squash at the Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]]
|1
|2
|0
|3
|-
|[[Squash at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]
|1
|3
|9
|13
|-
|[[Asian Squash Team Championships|Asian Team Championships]]
|1
|5
|10
|16
|-
|[[Asian Individual Squash Championships|Asian Individual Championships]]
|3
|3
|[[-]]
|6
|-
| Total || '''6''' || '''13''' || '''19''' || '''38'''
|-
|}

== See also ==
*[[Squash Rackets Federation of India]]
* [[India men's national squash team]]
* [[India women's national squash team]]

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
* [http://www.indiasquash.com/ Squash Rackets Federation of India]
* [http://www.ispsquash.com/ Indian Squash Professionals]

{{Sport in India}}

{{Squash by country}}

[[Category:Squash in India| ]]
[[Category:Sport in India]]

Squash in India - Revision history

2409:4060:419:B191:F45B:5DC4:1D1A:25A4 at 16:34, 4 August 2021