India made a winning start to their men’s team squash campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, defeating China 3-0 in their opening pool-stage tie on Monday.
Suraj Kumar Chand gave India an early lead with a 3-0 victory over Du Shaoqian. Chand won the three games 11-4, 11-2, 12-10.
Veer Chotrani then extended India’s advantage with another straight-game victory over Li Haizhen. Chotrani won 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 to put India in an unassailable position in the tie.
Velavan Senthilkumar completed the clean sweep with a 3-0 win over his Chinese opponent, winning 11-3, 11-2, 11-4.
The comprehensive victory gives India a strong start to their men’s team campaign. South Korea are the other team in India’s group, with India scheduled to face them later on Monday.
The Indian men’s squash team will look to build on the opening win as they continue their campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
India have also recorded wins in several other disciplines on Day 9.
In Kurash, Pincky Balhara defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the women’s 78kg quarterfinal to secure a medal for India.
India’s men’s cricket team advanced to the semifinals after their quarterfinal against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain, with India progressing on the basis of higher seeding.
In archery, Chikitha Taniparthi and Jyothi Surekha Vennam won their respective women’s compound individual Round of 32 matches. Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru and Sahil Jadhav also advanced before Ganesh defeated Jadhav 149-148 in the Round of 16 to enter the quarterfinals.
In shooting, Neeru leads the women’s trap qualification after Day 2, while Shapath Bharadwaj is fifth in the men’s trap standings. Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Rahi Sarnobat finished fifth in the women’s 25m pistol team final, while Esha qualified for the individual final.
India also defeated Hong Kong 3-0 in men’s volleyball and China 2-1 in the women’s squash team event.
In sepaktakraw, India lost 1-2 to Japan and were eliminated after finishing at the bottom of Group B.
In surfing, Kishore Kumar Anbarasu defeated China’s Ma Wensong, while Sivaraj Babu lost to the Philippines’ Alciso Jayuard.
-ANI
