Pankaj Advani, India’s most decorated cueist and a three-time world champion, will spearhead the country’s challenge at the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Doha from Monday, as the sport’s premier amateur contest returns with a packed field.

The men’s competition will unfold in two phases, scheduled from November 3–6 and 7–13, with leading contenders seeded directly into the second stage. Advani, who enters the championship as one of the favourites, will be joined in Stage 2 by seasoned campaigner Brijesh Damani.

A clutch of rising Indian talents,Paras Gupta, Dhvaj Haria, Malkeet Singh and Mohammad Hussain — will aim to navigate the opening rounds and secure their berths alongside the senior professionals. All four have shown consistency on the domestic circuit and will look to translate that form onto the international table.

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India will also field a strong women’s contingent when the women’s event commences on Friday. The line-up includes reigning National 6-Red champion Keerthana Pandian and the highly rated Natasha Chethan, both of whom have enjoyed impressive results this season. They will compete alongside Anupama Ramachandran, Amee Kamani, Aanya Patel and Shruthi L.

India’s squad will be overseen by national coach Ashok Shandilya, who expressed confidence in the depth of the contingent ahead of the Doha campaign.

Indian squad:

Men: Pankaj Advani, Brijesh Damani (Stage 2), Paras Gupta, Dhvaj Haria, Malkeet Singh, Mohammad Hussain.
Women: Anupama Ramachandran, Amee Kamani, Keerthana Pandian, Natasha Chethan, Aanya Patel, Shruthi L.
Coach: Ashok Shandilya.