The second day of the prestigious 80th CCI Western India Squash tournament witnessed commanding performances from the top contenders, setting the tone for an exciting competition at the historic Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai on Thursday.
Top Seeds Make a Powerful Statement
The tournament favourites lived up to their billing with emphatic victories. Top seed Veer Chotrani, the pre-tournament favourite, displayed sheer dominance in his opening match. He dispatched Ayaan Khan with a flawless performance, securing a straight-games victory with an identical scoreline of 11-1, 11-1, 11-1. This commanding win effortlessly propelled him into the round of 32.
Not to be outdone, second seed Suraj Chand also began his campaign on a high note. He overcame the challenge posed by Ajinkya Patil, winning in three straight games 11-4, 11-4, 11-3. His controlled and powerful play ensured his smooth progression into the next round alongside Chotrani.
Young Talents Shine in Age Group Categories
The action was equally intense in the junior categories, where future stars showcased their skills. In the boys under-15 section, second seed Yusuf Pardiwala advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Arjun Parasrampuria 11-3, 11-7, 11-7. The 14-year-old expressed his delight at playing on his home ground. "This is my home ground and I feel absolutely thrilled to be able to play here in front of my friends," Yusuf said. "I have got good support which has been very helpful. I feel confident of doing well."
In the boys under-17 category, Agastya Bansal secured his spot in the quarterfinals with a solid win over Harsh Joshi, scoring 11-5, 11-6, 11-6. The 16-year-old, now ready for the knockout stages, praised the CCI environment. "I really like the courts here at CCI. I joined here a couple of years ago. It is a really big community here and everyone supports you well," Agastya remarked after his match.
Complete Results from Day Two
The day saw a flurry of matches across various categories. Key results include:
Men’s: Veer Chotrani [1] bt Ayaan Khan 11-1, 11-1, 11-1; Suraj Chand [2] bt Ajinkya Patil 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.
Women’s: Aaradhana Kasturiraj [9/16] bt Shaheen Madraswala 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8; Pooja Arthi R [5/8] later defeated Aaradhana Kasturiraj 11-5, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5.
Boys U17: Hridhaan Shah [5/8] bt Ayaan Dalal [9/16] 11-2, 11-7, 11-5; Agastya Bansal [3/4] bt Harsh Joshi [9/16] 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.
Boys U15: Yusuf Pardiwala [2] bt Arjun Parasrampuria [9/16] 11-3, 11-7, 11-7; Vinay Shinde [5/8] bt Reyansh Chheda [9/16] 11-8, 6-11, 11-2, 11-4.
Girls U17: Fabiha Nafees [5/8] bt Dharmi Hiru Pardhi 11-1, 11-3, 11-1; Riyansika Verma [3/4] bt Kashvi Harlalka 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Other categories, including ProCoach and MO45, also concluded their matches, with players like Dipesh Jadhav and Alok Taparia registering wins.
The tournament continues at the CCI, with the spotlight firmly on the top seeds and the emerging junior talents as they vie for glory in one of India's most traditional squash events.
