Rahul NareshThe Indian squash circuit is surely moving in the right direction and getting the recognition it deserves. Joshna Chinappa’s display at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games in Birminghman has certainly caught the attention of sports enthusiasts.
Female athletes are on the rise in India and are making their mark on the international stage. From Mirabai Chanu to PV Sindhu, athletes from various sports are inspiring the younger generation.
The following are my top 10 female squash players in India.
Also Read – Top 10 Squash Players in India (Male)
Joshna Chinappa
Joshna Chinappa is currently the biggest name in the Indian squash circuit. Born in Chennai, the 25-year-old is the female flagbearer of Indian squash. She currently ranks 17th in the world and recently made her mark at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Chinappa was also among the top players in the world during the start of 2022, before falling off later in the year. She won the Asian Championship in 2017 and lost out in the final of the Hong Kong International during the same year.
Chinappa’s other achievements in the sport include winning the Victorian Open and the NSCI Open in 2016 and finishing second in the HKFC International during the 2015/16 season. She was among the first Indians to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in a doubles event during the 2014 Games.
Akanksha Salunke
Akanksha Salunke is just 23 years old and one of the youngest players on this list. She currently ranks 87th in the PSA World Rankings, which is her highest-ever international ranking. She had a successful junior career, during which she won 23 domestic titles and three international titles.
In terms of making it professional, 2022 is the first year for the youngster on tour, and many will be expecting Salunke to add to the list of accolades she has already received.
Tanvi Khanna
Tanvi Khanna is a 26-year-old hailing from New Delhi, India. She is currently ranked 92nd in the PSA World Rankings. She made her debut professionally in 2016, after which she achieved quite some success on the Indian Tour.
Khanna broke into the top 100 ranked players for the first time in 2021. She won two titles in the Indian Tour in 2021. Her victories came in Chennai and Noida.
Indian Tours hit her all-time high ranking in 2022, when she made it into the top 75 in the world. She also has a 70% win record.
Sunayna Kuruvilla
Sunayna Kuruvilla is among the youngest players on this list. The 23-year-old hails from Cochin and is one of the few players who have broken into the Top 75-ranked players from India. Her first final on tour came in 2017 during the North Coast Open, when she lost out to Tamika Hunt.
She also made it to the final of the Indian Tour in 2019. She made the final in her home town of New Delhi during the same tour.
Urwashi Joshi
Urwashi Joshi has been around the squash circuit for a bit but has not played as many tournaments as the others on this list. She is currently 26 years old and hails from Maharashtra.
Joshi is ranked 175th in the world according to the PSA rankings at the moment. She has taken part in just eight tournaments so far.
Anjali Semwal
Anjali Semwal is aged only 20 and hails from Vasind, Maharashtra. She is currently ranked 195th according to the PSA World Rankings — her highest-ever ranking thus far.
Semwal has only played two tournaments thus far and will be looking to raise that number in the coming years.
Abhisheka Shannon
Abhisheka Shannon, an 18-year-old from Chennai, is establishing herself in the International squash circuit. Currently ranked 205th, she hit her highest rank of 157 in 2021 according to the PSA World Rankings.
Shannon has been around the international squash circuit since 2019 and has participated in six tournaments.
Sachika Balvani
Sachika Balwani has been around the international squash circuit for a while now. The Mumbai-based 28-year-old is currently ranked 206th. She hit her all-time high ranking in 2021 when she ranked 112th.
Balwani has a win ratio of less than 50% — a stat she would want to improve upon in the coming years.
Janet Vidhi
Janet Vidhi also falls in the experienced category of players on this list. The girl from Delhi is currently ranked two hundred and thirty seventh according to the PSA World rankings. She kicked off her international career in 2014 and peaked in 2017 when she held a world ranking of eighty eight.
Vidhi has taken part in thirty three tournaments thus far.
Aparijitha Balamurukan
Aparijitha Balamurukan from Erode is twenty-eight years old. She currently holds a rank of two hundred and thirty seven according to the PSA world rankings. She began her international career in 2010. She ranked highest during her initial year in the sport when she held a rank of seventy seven.
Over her twelve year long career, she has taken part in forty tournaments, and has a win ratio of a less than fifty percent.
