Saurav, Joshna star attractions in SRFI Indian Tour Squash Championship

Indian stars Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa headline the SRFI Indian Tour Squash Championship with international players from 15 countries.

Indian stars Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa will be the star attractions in the SRFI Indian Tour Squash Championship, a PSA Challenger Tour event, to be held at the Indian Squash Academy here from March 17 to 21. Indian teenage sensation and 16-year-old reigning National champion Anahat Singh will be the one to watch in the women’s section out for as she has been in terrific form, having won her ninth PSA title in December last year in the Western India Slam in Mumbai.

The tournament will feature participants from top squash nations, including Austria, Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and Wales.

Thirty-eight-year-old Saurav announced his retirement from active squash in April 2024 only to make a comeback in March this year and win the Octane Sydney Classic (his 11th PSA title), a PSA Challenger Tour event.

The 19-time National champion Joshna (38 years), on the other hand, last played the Monte Carlo Classic, a PSA Challenger Tour, in November 2024 where she reached the semifinals.

The men’s category will feature top international players, with Karim El Hammamy (Egypt, World ranking 46) as the top seed and Aly Hussein (Egypt, WR 73) as the second seed. India will also be represented by Veer Chotrani, Suraj Chand, K. S. Arihant, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, an Asian Games double gold medallist, and P. R. Sandhesh.

In the women’s draw, India’s Akanksha Salunkhe (World ranking 65) leads the field as the top seed, with Hayley Ward (South Africa, WR 82) as the second seed. Anahat is the third seed at World No. 86. Other Indian players in the tournament include, Shameena Riaz, R. Pooja Arthi, and Rathika Seelan.