Asian Games 2026: Joshna Chinappa, Velavan Senthilkumar settle for bronze in Squash mixed doubles

India’s Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar came agonisingly close to a place in the Asian Games mixed doubles final, losing a dramatic semifinal to Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi 1-2 (10-11, 11-2, 11-10).The Indian pair looked to have one foot in the final after fighting back from a tight opening-game defeat and dominating the second. They then led 9-7 in the decider and had three match points, only for the Hong Kong pair to stage a stunning comeback and snatch the contest in a nerve-wracking finish.The defeat meant Joshna and Velavan had to settle for a bronze medal.India lose first game by narrowest marginThe opening game was a tense battle with neither pair able to establish a significant advantage. Joshna and Velavan edged ahead at one stage, but Tang and Lee responded with three straight points to move 9-8 ahead. The Indians quickly levelled at 9-9 before Hong Kong earned game point.India fought back again to make it 10-10, but Tang and Lee won the next point to take the game 11-10 and move within one game of the final.Joshna, Velavan hit back in styleThe Indians responded emphatically in the second game. Joshna and Velavan came out aggressively, looking to finish points quickly rather than getting drawn into the long rallies that had characterised the opening game.They raced into a 3-0 lead and extended it to 7-2. From there, they did not give Hong Kong another point, closing out the game 11-2 to force a decider. Three match points slip away in dramatic deciderThe deciding game produced the most intense action of the contest. Joshna and Velavan initially trailed 2-5 but fought back to make it 4-5. The game then turned into a battle of attrition, with long rallies and several 'lets', where a point is replayed because of an obstruction, adding to the tension.The Indians eventually levelled at 6-6 before taking control. They moved 8-7 ahead and then stretched their lead to 9-7, with Velavan producing some outstanding defensive work. At 9-7, India had three match points but could not convert them. Tang and Lee held their nerve to win the next three points and level the game at 10-10.The next rally was fiercely contested and ended in controversy. India initially appeared to have won the point, with Velavan briefly celebrating, but the point was disallowed. Hong Kong then won the following point to complete a remarkable 11-10 comeback and book their place in the final.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.