Ishpreet Chadha: India’s new snooker sensation

When Ishpreet Singh Chadha reached the semi-finals at the English Open in the UK last month - a four Home Nations Series tournament - there was shock and awe all around.

The outcome was compounded owing to the stature of the player that suffered defeat at the hands of Chadha, 4-time World Snooker champion Mark Selby.

“Mark has been my favorite player for as long as I can remember,” Ishpreet told The Bridge via telephone while reflecting on the magnitude of the victory.

“Defeating him in our first head-to-head match felt like a huge achievement. Even though I won, there was still much to learn from how he handled pressure,” he remarked, highlighting a skill that he perceives as essential in his journey.

Accidental discovery

Ishpreet’s snooker journey began in 2007 during a family vacation to Malaysia, where a visit to a resort’s indoor sports area introduced him to the game.

“I was just amazed by the snooker table, the green cloth, the colored balls; it drew me in,” he recalled.

His father, who occasionally played snooker, taught him the basics, sparking his interest in the sport.

Once back in Mumbai, Ishpreet’s interest grew at the Khar Gymkhana where he initially played pool before fully committing to snooker, playing almost everyday after school.

The then young lad’s snooker journey took a serious turn after witnessing a match between Yasin Merchant, India’s second professional snooker player and his future coach, and Aditya Mehta, the finalist of the 2013 Indian Open.

“The atmosphere was incredible, with packed crowds, players in waistcoats, and long, elegant matches. That’s when I knew I wanted to take snooker seriously,” he recalled.

Inspired by that moment, Ishpreet began training under Yasin Merchant in 2010, embarking on his journey of growth in snooker.

However, in 2017, an ankle injury sidelined him for six months.

During his recovery, he ventured into E-sports, joining one of India’s top teams, Entity, and winning multiple tournaments.

Also, his focus on fitness during the pandemic boosted his confidence and performance.

“Everything in my life led me back to snooker,” he said.

Return with a bang

In 2021, Ishpreet marked his return to snooker by winning the All India Open, his first major victory.

“Everyone had been out of practice because of the pandemic, so I thought it was my time to go a level higher.”

His success continued, culminating in winning the National Snooker Championship that year and dominating seven out of ten major tournaments in 2022.

By 2023, Ishpreet aimed higher by entering the Q School snooker tournament in Thailand, an event for amateur players that serves as a qualification for the professional level.

After narrowly missing out in the first event, he won the second, securing a two-year Pro Circuit Tour Card.

Transitioning to life in the UK with his mother, Ishpreet has embarked on his full-time snooker career and is currently competing in 14 to 15 ranking and invitational events annually.

No career path in India

Reflecting on snooker in India, Ishpreet acknowledged its slow growth but expressed concern over the lack of sponsorship and media coverage.

“Without more investment, it’s hard for the sport to thrive,” he said, acknowledging the financial challenges of pursuing snooker in India, including the difficulties in finding coaching and the limited opportunities for players.

“Parents in India won’t support their children pursuing snooker because there’s no clear career path.”

With few job quotas available through the sport, Ishpreet believes the only way to make a sustainable career is to compete abroad, where snooker is more respected.

“In India, it’s close to impossible to make a good living out of snooker.”

He contrasts the passion for snooker in the UK, noting the size of the crowds and the following for players.

“Snooker is huge in the UK. The crowds are massive, and there’s so much respect for the players. In comparison, the largest crowd I have seen in India was about 150 people at a match where I played against Pankaj Advani.”

Mentality calls the shots

Ishpreet credits his coach, Yasin Merchant, for focusing on fundamentals and helping him develop during his formative years.

“Yasin sir immediately focused on the basics, right from how to stand, hold the cue, and approach a shot.”

These fundamentals, he says, have stuck with him throughout his career.

However, Ishpreet emphasizes that the real challenge of snooker lies in its mental demands.

“It’s so mentally draining. You could be leading one moment and down the next, and you need to stay strong.”

He added that the margin for error is minimal and one missed shot that turn the game around.

“One shot, even a fluke, can turn the whole match around. You miss an easy shot, and suddenly the pressure is on you.”

Therefore, he believes that persistence is key to continuing in this game.

“You need to lose a lot to eventually start performing well. It’s about staying calm no matter what happens on the table.”

Ultimately, Ishpreet is looking forward to the next three Home Nations major series lined up for him at the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish Opens.

“My goal is to surpass the result I achieved in the English Open and perform well in the upcoming majors,” he says confidently.

In his downtime, he enjoys traveling with his mother, who moved to the UK with him.

“I'd like to Thank my Mother and Coach Yasin Merchant for being the pillars of Strength. Special thanks to Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) for all the support and encouragement.”

Having let go of competitive gaming in 2021, he now focuses entirely on snooker.

“I wanted to see what happens if I focused on just one thing, and it worked out well,” he concluded.