The six-leg India Squash Tour is set to begin next week, offering crucial international exposure and ranking opportunities for the country’s squash players.
India’s Squash Scene Gets a Major Boost
This upcoming tour is specifically designed to give Indian squash players more international experience. It’s part of the 2025-26 season and will feature a series of Challenger tournaments across six major cities.
Crucially, these events are officially sanctioned by the Professional Squash Association (PSA), ensuring their global recognition. Each tournament will host a 24-player field, with the top eight seeds receiving a bye in the first round.
What’s New This Season?
The India Squash Tour is expanding its reach, growing from four events to six this season. Delhi and Ahmedabad are the exciting new additions to the tour’s calendar.
The tour receives strong backing from HCL and is a collaborative effort with the sports ministry and the Sports Authority of India. A significant highlight is the commitment to equal prize money for both men and women across all events.
Star Power and Player Benefits
Expect to see some of India’s top squash talent, including Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Anahat Singh, in action. The tour also aims to attract top international players, which will provide invaluable competitive experience for local athletes, especially youngsters.
Double Asian Games medallist Tanvi Khanna shared how vital the tour has been for her career. After an injury in 2023 caused her ranking to slip, the PSA India tour was instrumental in helping her earn crucial ranking points to climb back up.
Prize Money and Tournament Tiers
The tournaments offer varying prize money, making them attractive to a range of players. The Chennai event will be a Challenger 15k with a $15,000 prize pool.
Jaipur and Mumbai will host Challenger 9k events, each offering $9,000. Meanwhile, New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad will feature Challenger 6k tournaments, with a prize pool of $6,000 each.
Looking Ahead: National Championships
Beyond the international tour, squash fans can also look forward to the senior National Squash Championship. This prestigious event will take place in Delhi at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium from August 23 to 28 this year.
Most of the country’s top players are expected to participate, making it a must-watch event for Indian squash enthusiasts.
- The India Squash Tour expands to six legs, including new venues in Delhi and Ahmedabad.
- All tournaments are PSA-sanctioned and offer equal prize money for men and women.
- The tour provides crucial international exposure and ranking points for Indian players.
- Top Indian squash stars like Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Anahat Singh are expected to participate.
This comprehensive tour marks a significant step forward for squash in India, promising exciting competition and growth opportunities for its athletes.
