You want to bring your best and play well in the World Cup: Joshna

Second seed India, comprising Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Anahat Singh and Joshna Chinappa, will hope for an improved performance from the bronze it won in the previous edition in 2023, in the SDAT Squash World Cup mixed team event to be held at Express Avenue Mall and Indian Squash Academy courts here from December 9 to 14.

Speaking at the unveiling function of the Indian team jersey and tournament logo on Tuesday, 19-time National singles champion Joshna Chinappa said the World Cup is a big tournament for the Indian team and it will put its best foot forward.

“The World Cup is always there in the back of my mind. You want to bring your best and play well. We have a wonderful team with Abhay, Velavan and Anahat, who are probably playing some of the best squash of their lives. I think it’s going to be a good tournament. There’s going to be a lot of tough matches and, hopefully, we can really do our best,” she said.

Defending champion Egypt has chosen to send a second-string team and is seeded fifth. Hong Kong is the top seed while Malaysia and Japan are seeded third and fourth respectively.

Atulya Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu said with Indian Squash Academy completing 25 years, it is only fitting that the World Cup has come to Chennai.

Cyrus Poncha, Secretary, Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), hoped India will bring home the gold.

“May the Indian team play with confidence and pride and bring home the gold medal for the first time,” he said. N. Ramachandran, SRFI patron and life-president, and J. Meghanatha Reddy, Member-Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, were also present.

The pools: A: Hong Kong, South Africa, South Korea; B: India, Brazil, Switzerland; C: Malaysia, Australia, Poland; D: Japan, Egypt, Iran. The top two from each pool will make the quarterfinals.