Celebrating success in squash

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, honouring the achievements and inspiring journeys of India’s finest athletes across multiple sports. TOISA 2025 will recognise performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, spotlighting standout moments from major international tournaments and global championships. With over 45 award categories, the event will celebrate both legendary performers and promising new talents who brought pride to the nation.Award winners will be chosen by a distinguished jury of sporting icons, including Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal, and Leander Paes, ensuring a credible and expert evaluation of excellence in Indian sport.Squash – MaleAbhay SinghDate of Birth: September 3, 1998Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:SDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Men’s Doubles)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Mixed Doubles)PSA Hyder Trophy (New York): GoldIndia’s top-ranked male player, Abhay Singh, enjoyed a stellar 2025, solidifying his dominance in both the individual and team formats. He led India to a historic maiden gold at the SDAT Squash World Cup in his hometown, Chennai. On the continental stage, he secured a double-gold at the Asian Doubles Championship, successfully defending his men’s doubles title with Velavan Senthilkumar and clinching the mixed crown alongside Anahat Singh. Additionally, he captured his 11th PSA Tour title at the Hyder Trophy in New York, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 26 during the year.Saurav GhosalDate of Birth: August 10, 1986Place of Birth: Kolkata, West BengalSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:Octane Sydney Classic (PSA): GoldAfter briefly stepping away from the professional circuit, the legendary Saurav Ghosal made a triumphant “comeback” in early 2025 by winning the Sydney Classic in Australia, dropping only one game throughout the tournament to secure his 11th PSA title. Despite battling age and recurring injuries, Ghosal continued to be a guiding force for Indian squash. His resilience throughout 2025 further cemented his legacy as the greatest squash player India has ever produced.Velavan SenthilkumarDate of Birth: March 26, 1998Place of Birth: Salem, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:Senior National Squash Championship: Gold (Men’s Singles)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Men’s Doubles)Asian Individual Squash Championships: BronzeSDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Velavan Senthilkumar reached new heights in 2025, breaking into the world’s top 40 for the first time. He reclaimed the Senior National title in a high-intensity final and was a vital component of the gold-medal-winning squad at the World Cup in Chennai. His partnership with Abhay Singh remained unbeatable in Asia, as they successfully defended their Asian Doubles crown. With a bronze at the Individual Asian Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Velavan proved he is now a consistent medal threat at the highest levels of international squash.Mahesh MangaonkarDate of Birth: March 23, 1994Place of Birth: Mumbai, MaharashtraSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:PSA World Championships: Round of 32Finnish National Championship: Gold (as a resident competitor)PSA Tour: Two-time Finalist (Challenger Level)While balancing his professional career with coaching roles in Europe, Mahesh Mangaonkar remained a key international representative for India in 2025. He showcased his experience at the PSA World Championships, putting up a spirited fight against top-seeded opponents. On the regional circuit, he continued to dominate in Scandinavia, securing national titles as a resident, while simultaneously reaching multiple finals on the PSA Challenger Tour.Squash – FemaleAnahat SinghDate of Birth: March 13, 2008Place of Birth: DelhiSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:SDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Senior National Squash Championship: Gold (Women’s Singles)Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Women’s & Mixed Doubles)World Junior Squash Championships: BronzePSA Awards 2025: Challenger Player of the Season & Young Player of the SeasonAt just 17, Anahat Singh solidified her status as the face of Indian squash in 2025. She completed a historic hat-trick of Senior National titles and anchored India to its first-ever Squash World Cup gold in Chennai. Internationally, she ended a 15-year drought for India at the World Junior Championships by winning bronze and secured her maiden Top-10 victory by upsetting World No. 7 Tinne Gilis at the Canadian Open. Her dominance on the PSA Challenger Tour, where she maintained a 29-match unbeaten streak, earned her two prestigious global season awards from the PSA.Joshna ChinappaDate of Birth: September 15, 1986Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:SDAT Squash World Cup: Gold (Mixed Team)Japan Open (PSA Challenger): GoldAsian Squash Doubles Championship: Gold (Women’s Doubles)SRFI Indian Open: Silver (Singles)Proving that age is just a number, the 39-year-old veteran Joshna Chinappa enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2025. She provided a critical opening-match victory in the World Cup final against Hong Kong to help India secure gold. In October, she captured her 11th PSA title at the Japan Open in Yokohama, defeating younger, higher-ranked opponents to break back into the world’s Top 100. Despite a runner-up finish to Anahat Singh at the Indian Open, her tactical brilliance and veteran leadership remained indispensable to the national team’s success.Tanvi KhannaDate of Birth: July 23, 1995Place of Birth: DelhiSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:HCL Squash Indian Tour (Mumbai): GoldHCL Squash Indian Tour (Jaipur): SilverAsian Individual Squash Championships: Quarter-finalistTanvi Khanna made a successful return to form in 2025 following a recovery period from injury. She clinched her first title of the season at the HCL PSA Challenger in Mumbai, stunning the Egyptian top seed in the final. Her consistency on the domestic and Asian circuits saw her reach the final in Jaipur and the latter stages of the Asian Individual Championships in Malaysia. Throughout the year, Tanvi remained a top-3 ranked player in India, providing vital depth to the women’s national squad in international team competitions.Dipika Pallikal KarthikDate of Birth: September 21, 1991Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil NaduSport: SquashMajor Achievements in 2025:Asian Squash Doubles Championship: Silver (Mixed Doubles)World Squash Championships: Main Draw (Chicago)PSA Tour: Reached Semi-finals at the Australian OpenIn 2025, Dipika Pallikal Karthik focused her competitive energy on high-stakes doubles and select PSA World Tour events. She secured a silver medal at the Asian Doubles Championship alongside Saurav Ghosal and represented India at the PSA World Championships in Chicago. While balancing her professional career with her role as a prominent sporting icon, she continued to compete at the highest level of the global circuit, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and serving as a vital mentor to the younger players in the national camp.