India’s men’s squash team fell 1‑2 to Malaysia in the Nagoya semifinal, yet Veer Chotrani’s 3‑0 triumph over Sanjay Jeeva kept the tie at 1‑1.
Abhay Singh opened the tie with a blistering 3‑0 loss to Eain Yow (11‑8, 11‑8, 11‑8), setting a grim tone. Chotrani answered with a 3‑0 sweep (11‑4, 11‑8, 11‑5), cutting the deficit to one game. The momentum swung to Malaysia when Velavan Senthilkumar won the first game against Ameeshenraj Chandaran 12‑10, but then slipped in the next three (11‑6, 11‑8, 11‑9), handing the deciding match to the hosts.
The defeat cuts short India’s dream of defending the 2022 Asian Games gold, consigning the men to a bronze‑medal finish.
Meanwhile, the women also finished with bronze after a 1‑2 loss to Hong Kong in their semifinal.
Both squads now shift focus to the Games’ opening day next week.