India's squash teams opened their Asian Games 2026 campaign with a statement of intent, defeating China in both the men's and women's events on a day that highlighted the country's growing strength in the sport. The men produced a clean 3-0 victory in Pool A, while the women recovered from an early setback to secure a 2-1 win in Pool C, with Joshna Chinappa sealing the tie in the decisive rubber.
Strong Start For Men
The men's team delivered the more straightforward result, blanking China 3-0 to take control of Pool A and immediately establish themselves as early contenders. A sweep of this nature in team squash is significant not only for the points it brings, but for the psychological advantage it creates in a short-format competition where momentum can shape the entire group stage.
India's men were efficient, disciplined and unflustered, denying China any opening to build pressure through the order. In team events, the first match often sets the tone for the rest of the tie, and India's ability to close out the contest without dropping a rubber suggests both tactical clarity and superior match readiness. Against an opponent that has steadily invested in racket sports, the margin of victory will be viewed in Indian circles as an encouraging indicator of squad depth.
The result also matters in the broader context of Asian squash, where India has long been among the continent's most competitive nations. A 3-0 opening win does not decide a tournament, but it does reduce the room for error in the remaining pool fixtures and places pressure on rivals to keep pace.
Women Rally Under Pressure
The women's tie was more demanding and, in many ways, more revealing. After China struck first, India found itself in a position that required composure rather than panic. The response was measured and effective, with the team turning the tie around to win 2-1 and preserve an unbeaten start to the competition.
Joshna Chinappa's role was central. The veteran, one of the most experienced figures in Indian squash, delivered the match that settled the contest and confirmed India's comeback. In team events, experience often becomes as valuable as shot-making, and Chinappa's finish under pressure reinforced why she remains such an important presence in the squad.
The women's victory was especially notable because it came from behind against a Chinese side that has traditionally been organised and difficult to break down in team formats. India's ability to absorb the early blow and still recover speaks to a maturing competitive identity: less dependent on individual brilliance alone, and more capable of managing the emotional swings that define high-stakes international ties.
Early Signal Of Depth
Taken together, the two results offer a useful snapshot of India's position at the start of the Asian Games. The men's team showed control and efficiency, while the women demonstrated resilience and the capacity to win a tight tie when the margin for error had narrowed. That combination is often what separates medal contenders from merely competitive sides.
For India, the opening day also underscores the value of squad balance. Team squash is not only about the top-ranked player; it is about how the lineup responds across all three rubbers, how veterans steady the group, and how quickly a side can recover if the first match goes against it. India answered those tests against China with authority.
The wins will not guarantee a smooth path through the tournament, but they do provide a strong platform. In a multi-nation event where every tie can carry knockout-level pressure, starting with two victories over a respected regional opponent is exactly the kind of beginning India would have wanted. The men now have early control of Pool A, while the women's comeback in Pool C suggests they possess the mental toughness required for the longer haul.
If India is to convert this opening into a deeper run, consistency will be the next challenge. But on the evidence of this first day, both squads have signalled that they are not merely participating in the Asian Games squash draw — they are aiming to shape it.