Squash Season 2026 in India: A Court-Ready Kit and Racket Checklist
The Indian squash calendar picks up from September. Here is the kit checklist that gets you match-fit for the 2026-27 season, from racket and string to balls, eyewear and shoes.
Squash season 2026 in India: what to sort before your first match
Squash season in India effectively runs September to March. The monsoon clears, air-conditioned courts stop feeling like steam rooms, and club ladders, district championships and SRFI-sanctioned junior events all restart within a few weeks of each other. If your racket has been in a bag since May, this is the fortnight to fix that.
The good news is that a full squash season refresh is one of the cheapest in racket sport. A new string job, a fresh tube of balls and a grip will get most club players match-ready for well under ₹2,000. This checklist works through the kit in the order it usually fails.
Squash racket checklist: frame, string and grip
Start with the frame. Hold it up to the light and run a thumb along the throat and the 2 o'clock/10 o'clock positions on the head — that is where wall contact does its damage. Any hairline crack means the frame is on borrowed time, because squash frames fail suddenly rather than gradually.
If you are buying your first proper racket, a lightweight 125-140g frame is the sensible starting point. The Cosco LST 125 Squash Racket at ₹1,499 and the slightly more solid Cosco Power 175 Squash Racket at ₹1,599 both sit in the range where a beginner gets durability without paying pro-frame money.
Strings matter more than most club players think. A multifilament like the Head Reflex 16L at ₹960 (enough for one racket) restores the deadened feel that six months of play strips out. If you play twice a week, restring at the start of the season and again around January.
How many squash balls do you need for a season?
More than you think, because squash balls harden, split at the seam and go missing behind the back wall. Double-yellow-dot balls are the tournament standard but are slow to warm up; club players in cooler northern courts often prefer single-yellow. A Head Tournament Squash Ball at ₹183 is a sensible practice ball to keep two or three of in the bag.
Court-ready protection: eyewear and shoes
Squash is played in a confined box with a hard rubber ball and a swinging opponent. Protective eyewear is mandatory for juniors in most sanctioned Indian events and is a sensible default for adults too. The Dunlop D SAC Protect Squash Eyewear at ₹2,399 is a certified option that does not fog badly under Indian court AC.
Shoes are the other non-negotiable. Squash demands lateral lunging on a wooden or synthetic floor, and running shoes simply do not have the sole geometry for it — they roll. Non-marking gum rubber soles are usually a court condition anyway. Check your existing pair for a worn outer edge on the lunging foot; that asymmetric wear pattern is the standard sign a squash shoe is done.
A pre-season kit bag checklist
| Item | Check | Typical spend |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | No cracks at throat or head | ₹1,500-₹15,000 |
| String | Restring if 6+ months old | ₹700-₹1,500 |
| Grip | Replace if slick or hardened | ₹150-₹500 |
| Balls | 2-3 spare, right dot rating | ₹180-₹600 |
| Eyewear | Certified, no scratches | ₹1,200-₹2,500 |
| Shoes | Non-marking, even outer-edge wear | ₹1,400-₹8,000 |
Getting your body ready, not just your bag
Squash is one of the most demanding racket sports on the calves, Achilles and lower back, and a monsoon layoff makes the first few sessions risky. Build back over two or three weeks: solo drives and boast-drive routines before you play full-length games, and give the first two sessions to movement rather than winning. This is general training guidance, not medical advice — if you are returning from an injury, get it cleared first.
One practical Indian-court note: many club courts run cold AC through September and October. A cold court means a cold ball, which means longer warm-ups and more mishits. Arriving ten minutes early to warm the ball properly is worth more than any equipment upgrade.
Shop the gear
- Cosco LST 125 Squash Racket — ₹1,499
- Cosco Power 175 Squash Racket — ₹1,599
- Head Reflex 16L Squash String — ₹960
- Head Tournament Squash Ball — ₹183
- Dunlop D SAC Protect Squash Eyewear — ₹2,399
Related reading
- Squash Racket Weight and Balance Explained
- Squash Balls Explained: Dot Colours and Speed
- How to Choose Squash Shoes in India
Frequently asked questions
When does the squash season start in India?
Most Indian club and district squash calendars pick up from September, once the monsoon eases and air-conditioned courts fill again. State championships and SRFI-sanctioned junior events cluster between September and March, so late August is the natural time to restring, replace balls and check your shoes.
How often should I replace my squash racket?
Recreational players who play twice a week usually get two to four years from a frame. Replace it sooner if you see a hairline crack at the throat, if the frame has been hit against the wall repeatedly, or if you have outgrown a beginner racket's control level. Strings need replacing far more often than frames.
Is eyewear compulsory for squash in India?
Protective eyewear is mandatory for juniors in most SRFI-sanctioned events and is strongly recommended for every adult club player. A squash ball travels fast enough to cause serious eye injury, and a pair of certified goggles costs a fraction of a single consultation.
