Squash World Cup 2023: India go down to Malaysia in the semi-finals

The hosts taste defeat for the first time in the competition.

Home favourites India lose to Malaysia (0-5) in the semi-finals and secured the joint third place (bronze medal) along with Japan at the Squash World Cup 2023. The Indian team remained unbeaten en route to the semi-finals but went down in the semi-finals to Malaysia (4th seed).

Abhay Singh ranked 62nd took on 149th ranked Ong Sai Hung in the opening tie. The Malaysian started the match on a positive note winning the opening game (4-7). Abhay Singh fought back hard to win the following game and leveled the scores. The Malaysian counterpart although ranked very low was in par with Abhay showing glimpses of excellent play. In the deciding game tied at (6-6), Ong Sai came out victorious to win the match (3-2).

India trail early

After an enthrilling opening encounter, the onus was on Joshna Chinappa to bring back match into the track. Each tie consists of four matches with two matches alloted two points each and the rest two alloted a point each. The top seeds in the men's and women's section play the two point game (for India it was Ghosal and Joshna). India after the end of first match were trailing (0-1).

Joshna did not look at her best, losing to 19-year-old and upcoming youngster Aira Azman (3-1). There were too many obstructions overall in the women's singles match with Joshna on the receiving end at the majority of times. There were few decisions which could have gone either way which upsetted the Indian.

Commonwealth Games 2022 bronze medallist Sourav Ghosal lost to 149th ranked Darren Pragasam (1-3) bringing the curtains down for India. It is believed that Sourav was suffering from a knee injury but nothing could be taken away from Pragasam who put his heart out by winning the crucial encounter against an experienced campaigner. Sourav relied on drop shots and won four points out of the five attempted until the second game which paid him dividends. After the second game, the Malaysian fought back strongly winning the next two games on trot.

Earlier in the day, top seeds Egypt defeated Japan (6-0) and progressed to the final. They are now set to take on Malaysia in the grand finale which is set to held on June 17th (Saturday).

Semi-final Results

India lost to Malaysia (0-5)

Abhay Singh lost to Ong Sai Hung (3-2)

Joshna Chinappa lost to Aira Azman (3-1)

Saurav Ghosal lost to Darren Pragasam (3-1)

Tanvi Khanna vs Xin Ying Yee - did not play