The Indian squash contingent departed for the Women’s World Team Squash Championship in Nimes, France from November 12 to 17. This event will be staged in France for the first time in their 33-year history of squash. Indian team is led by 21-year-old world No 14 Dipika Pallikal. Her teammates include the experienced Joshna Chinappa (world No 32), Asian junior champion Anaka Alankamony (world No 73) and junior No 2 Aparajitha Balamurukan (world No 142). Cyrus Poncha and Maj (R) S Maniam will travel as coaches for the squad.
Seeded 10th, the girls have to defeat Ireland and Argentina to top their pool before playing the round of 16 against the corresponding country from Pool H.
Pool line-ups (with seeding in brackets): Pool A: England (1), Scotland (16), Korea (23); Pool B: Egypt (2), Wales (15), Mexico (24); Pool C: Malaysia (3), South Africa (14), China (19), Spain (26); Pool D: Hong Kong China (4), Czech Republic (13), Colombia (20), Namibia (25); Pool E: New Zealand (5), USA (12), Japan (22); Pool F: Australia (6), Canada (11), Austria (18);
Pool G: Ireland (7), India (10), Argentina (17); Pool H: Netherlands (8), France (9), Germany (21).