THE HOME ADVANTAGE

One of the biggest advantages in any sport is support of a home crowd and Indian Squash team holds this rare advantage in championship of 2017. The 19th edition of Asian Individual Squash Championship is being held in Chennai, India. The Chennai crowd is no stranger to the game, as it is being held here for the 2nd time since 2010. The tournament is kicking off from today and final will be held on 30th April, Sunday. 

India is yet to register the winner in Asian Championship in the history of tournament. Most closer India went to win the title was when, Misha Grewal ended up as runner up in edition of 1996. But this year India hold hopes to break the duck, in both sections, men and women. India's current best players will be fighting to clinch the winner's spot.

In Men's section, among the 42 players from different Asian countries, India's Sourav Ghosal is seeded second. Sourav Ghosal holds biggest hope in this section for India. Apart from Ghosal, the Indian men’s squad will feature Vikram Malhotra, Mahesh Mangaonkar, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, Velavan Senthilkumar  and Aditya Jagtap. 

Whereas in women's side India's two most successful players, Joshna Chinappa  and Dipika Pallikal-Karthik, will be favourite for title, seeded 2nd and 4th respectively. In women's draw apart from these two stars, Akansha Salunkhe, Lakshya R., Sunayna Kuruvilla and Sachika Ingale, will be seen in action. 

Biggest challenge India will face is from Hong Kong, who dominates the game. The top seeds in both draws are held by Hong Kong players, Max Lee and Annie Au. But Indian squad is more powerful this time than ever before. Now all that players need is backing of home crowd as India look forward to get hold of titles. The venue is Express Avenue, central Chennai. The stage is set, India possess home advantage, now what else do we need? when even entry for the squash tournament is free. So, Indians support our team and India can win titles in both draws.