'Rare for a kid to say, 'I want to be an athlete': What India needs for a squash boom

Veer Chotrani, a 24-year-old squash player from New Delhi, has spent nearly two decades immersed in the sport. His journey began on a squash court, where his father, Manish Chotrani, once represented India as a national champion. By the age of four, Veer was receiving formal coaching, and by six and seven, he was competing in tournaments. Over the years, he amassed several accolades, including multiple Asian Junior titles and a stint as India’s junior No. 1 across different age groups. Today, Chotrani ranks 38th in the world, standing among a group of four Indian male players, Abhay Singh (ranked 24th), Ramit Tandon, and Velavan Senthilkumar, who have collectively maintained positions within the world’s top 60 for over a year. This surge in Indian squash performance coincides with renewed national interest in the sport, fueled largely by the inclusion of squash in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The sport’s Olympic status has brought increased visibility, particularly in India, where audiences often gravitate toward champions in any discipline. This dynamic was exemplified by the historic achievement of 18-year-old Anahat Singh, who became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. In the girls’ category, she defeated Egypt’s Ruqayya Salem, ending a 16-year streak where no non-Egyptian had claimed the title. Meanwhile, India’s junior boys secured a bronze medal. These results have positioned Indian squash at a pivotal moment, with young talent beginning to emerge on the global stage. Chotrani’s personal trajectory offers insight into how modern Indian athletes are navigating the sport’s evolving landscape. After concluding his junior career, he pursued higher education at Cornell University, where he studied psychology while training under David Palmer, a former world No. 1 and current coach. The competitive environment at U.S. collegiate squash programs, according to Chotrani, provides a rigorous foundation essential for success in professional competition. This pathway has been shared by several of India’s top male players, including Abhay Singh, who holds the second position in the rankings. Their collective rise underscores the effectiveness of this international training model. The competitive spirit among these players is evident in the ongoing rivalry between Chotrani and Abhay Singh. The pair have faced each other three times in recent months, splitting the matches 2-1 in Chotrani’s favor. Their encounters span major tournaments, including a first-time meeting in New York, a loss to Abhay in the JSW Open final in Mumbai, and a victory for Chotrani at the World Championships in Cairo. Despite the intensity of these matches, Chotrani acknowledges the broader context of competition, noting that Ramit Tandon and Velavan Senthilkumar remain formidable challengers. “All four of us are the same level on our best day,” he remarked, highlighting the close-knit nature of India’s emerging squash elite. Despite the progress, Chotrani remains candid about the challenges facing Indian squash. While the country boasts adequate facilities and courts, he emphasizes the lack of qualified coaches and mentors capable of nurturing both current and future generations of players. The absence of local training partners, he explains, forces many of India’s top athletes to seek opportunities abroad. This situation reflects a broader gap between India and traditional squash powerhouses such as Egypt, where the sport enjoys deeper institutional support and a more established coaching network. For Chotrani and his peers, the challenge lies not only in improving individual performance but in building a sustainable ecosystem that can sustain long-term growth and excellence.